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Home My WebLink About04/30/1975%W CITY COUNCIL TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING Wednesday, April 30, 1975 cc: Side 1, Tr. 1 - 785 - End Side 2, Tr. 1 - 001-482 M ayor Stanley Grabowski called the Adjourned Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 2.6379 Fremont Road: A. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski Staff: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Engineer Alex Russell, Deputy City Clerk Norma Hislop Press: None Immediately after Roll Call, Mayor Grabowski announced that it was necessary for Council to adjourn to an Executive (Litigation) Session for a brief period of time. Council re -convened at 8:05 PM. Councilman Helgesson said that in light of the discussion held in Executive Session, he moved that the law firm of Ruffo. Ferrari and McNeil be retained by the Town for the purpose of seeking preliminary guidance and obtaining a cost estimate related to the lawsuit against the Santa Clara County Assessor's office. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Miller and carried by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski NO: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE B. CONSENT CALENDAR: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Councilman Helgesson to approve the Minutes of April 16, 1975. Motion carried unanimously with Councilman McReynolds abstaining because of his absence from that meeting. C. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Mayor Grabowski introduced Mr. George Reilly, member and past Chairman of the State Board of Equalization, who had been invited to address Council and residents to explain and discuss his proposed twelve -point Tax Reform Program. Mr. Reilly's proposals included the freezing of property tax assessments, at least for ten years, and the enactment of a statewide lottery, controlled by the Department of Justice, earmarking the proceeds for assistance to the CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - April 30, 1975 SPECIAL PRESENTATION (cont'd): elderly and to aid our welfare program. He also proposed that discrimination against single persons be discontinued, abolishment of the business inventory tax 100%, deduction for medical and hospital expenses, as well as an allowable deduction for the costs of higher education. Mr. Reilly proposed that income and property taxes be permitted to be paid on a monthly basis, if desired, to avoid citizens taking out loans to pay taxes at exorbitent interest rates. Following Mr. Reilly's presentation, members of the audience participated in a question -answer period. Among those participating were the following: Mr. Franc iaheeler, firs. Helen Ashby, Mrs. Ann Spencer, Mr. John Ewing. fir. Reilly urged interested citizens to show their concern by writing letters to their State Assembly and Senate representatives, as well as to their Congressman n -c: Senators to demand that reforms be enacted as quickly as possi'ale. Mayor Grabca�ski thanked Mr. Reilly for taking the time to appear at the meeting this evening to elaborate on his proposals. D. STAFF R=F"".TS, CORRESPOMDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mr. Crnw= announced that the first Council meeting in Flay would be held on Thursday, °Iay B, 1975. He also announced that the meeting on May 21 would be ca.%o-'led. !then gvcstioned about scheduling a study session on the proposed revisions to the `ubdivision Ordinance, Mr. Crowe responded that he would present Council with several alternate dates for Council consideration at the meeting of May 8th. E. SPECIAL REPORTS: 1. Presentations from the Floor: a) Mrs. Florence Fava, Town Historian: Requested that the Mayor pro- claim the week of Play 12-18, 1975 as National Historical Preservation Week. Mayor and Council agreed, and Staff was requested to draw up said proclamation for signature. b) Mrs. Ann Spencer, Bicentennial Committee: Reported that the Bi - Centennial Commission would be contacting local artists to participate in the celebration by sketching local historical points of interest. Chosen sketches would then be reproduced on note paper to be sold to raise funds for the Commission. tar In response to questions by Council, Mrs. Spencer said that any interested citizen would also be welcome to submit sketches; that this was not restricted to artists only. -2- 1. Remo # approving and authorizing execution of Agreement for sale of real property between Town and Margit Bessenyey: Mr. Crowe reported on negotiations conducted recently between Staff and the representatives of Countess Bessenyey, owner of that property within the Town known as "Westwind Hungarian Horse Farm", and which property is located adjacent to the Town -owned Byrne Preserve. He stated that the Town could purchase 15 acres plus the barn located on the property for the purchase price of $25,000. Mr. Crowe commented that the issue of utilizing the facility and property to the best advantage of the Town and its citizens might be undertaken at another meeting, pending inputs from various citizen groups, organizations, etc. on their suggestions and recommendations. Discussion ensued between Staff and Council concerning the purchase price, and Mr. Crowe showed a view graph of the various parcels, and slides of the property showing its relation to the Byrne Preserve. Mayor Grabowski asked for audience comment on the proposed acquisition. 6r Speaking from the Floor: Mr. John Ewing, Lupine Road: Supported purchase of property, and urged optimum development of the property for citizen use, and horsemen, with consideration for minimum upkeep. Mrs. Florence Fava, Town Historian: Commended Staff, and felt this was a great opportunity for the Townspeople to work together on this project. She suggested that matching funds might be available from the government since the property was purchased at this time, and the relationship to the Bi- centennial celebration of the Town, particularly if a portion of it could be used for historical displays. Councilwoman Miller also hoped that Council would set aside a portion of the property for use by the Historical Society, and thought the Town owed their thanks to Mr. Crowe for his negotiation of the proposed contract. Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilwoman Miller to adopt Resolution # 380 approving and authorizing execution of Agreement for sale of real estate between the City of the Town of Los Altos Hills and Margit Bessenyey. Noticn carried by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski NO: NONE 6W ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE Council also discussed insurance costs in relation to the acquisition of this property, and Mr. Crowe stated that costs would depend on what uses were made of the facilities. -3- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - April 30, 1975 F. SPECIAL ORDERS: 1. Remo # approving and authorizing execution of Agreement for sale of real property between Town and Margit Bessenyey: Mr. Crowe reported on negotiations conducted recently between Staff and the representatives of Countess Bessenyey, owner of that property within the Town known as "Westwind Hungarian Horse Farm", and which property is located adjacent to the Town -owned Byrne Preserve. He stated that the Town could purchase 15 acres plus the barn located on the property for the purchase price of $25,000. Mr. Crowe commented that the issue of utilizing the facility and property to the best advantage of the Town and its citizens might be undertaken at another meeting, pending inputs from various citizen groups, organizations, etc. on their suggestions and recommendations. Discussion ensued between Staff and Council concerning the purchase price, and Mr. Crowe showed a view graph of the various parcels, and slides of the property showing its relation to the Byrne Preserve. Mayor Grabowski asked for audience comment on the proposed acquisition. 6r Speaking from the Floor: Mr. John Ewing, Lupine Road: Supported purchase of property, and urged optimum development of the property for citizen use, and horsemen, with consideration for minimum upkeep. Mrs. Florence Fava, Town Historian: Commended Staff, and felt this was a great opportunity for the Townspeople to work together on this project. She suggested that matching funds might be available from the government since the property was purchased at this time, and the relationship to the Bi- centennial celebration of the Town, particularly if a portion of it could be used for historical displays. Councilwoman Miller also hoped that Council would set aside a portion of the property for use by the Historical Society, and thought the Town owed their thanks to Mr. Crowe for his negotiation of the proposed contract. Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilwoman Miller to adopt Resolution # 380 approving and authorizing execution of Agreement for sale of real estate between the City of the Town of Los Altos Hills and Margit Bessenyey. Noticn carried by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski NO: NONE 6W ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE Council also discussed insurance costs in relation to the acquisition of this property, and Mr. Crowe stated that costs would depend on what uses were made of the facilities. -3- CITY COUNCIL MEETING - April 30, 1975 SPECIAL ORDERS (cont'd): 2. Mood Hei hts Subdivision, Tract #5597: Request for release of lien No subd vision improvements. Mr. Crowe said a letter of request had been received from the applicant for the return of a portion of the Time Certificates of Deposit which had been submitted to the Town as guarantee that certain improvements would be made within the Moody Heights subdivision. City Engineer Alex Russell commented that his memo to Council concerning improvements made to date was self-explanatory, and based on these improve- ments recommended that Council direct the release of one Certificate of Deposit, the remaining sum to be maintained by the Town until such time as all improvements were completed. After discussion between Staff, Council, and Mr. Hurl Fritschle, applicant, Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilman Cheney to approve the release one Time Certificate of Deposit to the applicant in the amount of $10,000. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen Cheney Grabowski NO: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor G. GENERAL ORDERS & UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Consideration of SB 636 re: Uniform Business License Tax Law: Mr. Crowe explained the essence of S8636, which would, if passed, result in the loss of local revenue for all cities within the State of California. He noted that the League of California Cities was urging all communities to oppose passage of this bill because of the precedent it would establish. After discussion, Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Councilman Helgesson and unanimously carried to direct the City Manager to direct a letter to the Legislature opposing passage of SB636. 2. Planning Commission Appointment: Fill unexpired term of Mr. Donald Spencer to 6/30/16: Councilwoman Miller indicated that she preferred a voice vote on this item as opposed to ballot, and Mayor Grabowski stated that this was allowable, if she wished. After the third ballot by Council, and a voice vote from Councilwoman Miller, Mrs. Lucy Hillestad, Normandy Lane, was declared by City Clerk Robert Crowe `. to have received the majority vote. H. ADJOURNMENT: Council adjourned at 11:00 P.M. to the next regular meeting on May 8th. Respectfully submitted Norma J. Hislop -a- nenuty City Clerk