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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/03/1974TO+?N OF LOS ALTOS HILLS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETlilG April 3, 1974 cc: Reel 62 Side 1, Tr. 1, 000- 1076 Mayor Stanley Grabowski called the regular meeting to order at 7:45 Pl in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road: A. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski Staff: City Manager Bruce Lawson, City Attorney Frank Gillio, City Engineer Alex Russell, Deputy City Clerk Norma Hislop B. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Moved to later part of meeting. 40 C. CONSENT CALENDAR: Councilwoman Miller requested that Item 1, Approval of Minutes of March 20, 1974, be removed from CONSENT CALENDAR for separate consideration. At the request of Councilman Cheney, Item 2, Warrants, was removed from the CONSENT CALENDAR. ITE1S RE+IOYED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION: 1. Approval of Minutes - March 20, 1974 (Regular Meeting) Councilwoman Miiller pointed out that on page 3, Item F, she wished to have her reasons for voting to deny without prejudice the application for approval of the Tentative Map of Deer Park Acres. She stated that her reasons were: 1) That in her opinion, the EIR did not prove that there would not." be a significant impact on the community, and she especially cited the noise element of the EIR; 2) She felt the drainage along Page hill Road, specifically involving the Mlatadero Creek area, had not been properly addressed or resolved. Councilman McReynolds then commented that the Minutes did not specify his reasons for his motion, specifically: That one of the most significant reasons he had voted against the subdivision was that a significant number of the lots were not adequate buildina sites in terms of the slope and normal amenities associated with building sites in Los Altos Hills, and �, would lead to variance requests and create future problems for the Town. 4 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - April 3, 1974 Mayor Grabowski noted that on p. 3, Item D, 2nd para, the date of the Council meeting should be April 3rd. 2. Aooroval of Warrants: $8,847.24 Questions were directed to Staff regarding specific warrants. Council also directed Staff to provide extra copies of the Warrant list for the public for future meetings. Council directed Staff in the future to have all the discing on Town property done at the same time, and to get bids on the job to keep the price competitive. ITEMS REMAINING ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR: 3. Resolutions for Adoption: A. Resolution #757 amending Resolution #674 entitled "A Resolution appointing Attorneys, Sewer District No. 10." B. Resolution #758 calling for a Public Hearing to determine whether the public interest requires establishment of Underground District #2. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson proved, seconded by ` Councilwoman Miller and unanimously carried to accept the CONSENT CALENDAR as amended. D. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR: 1. Mrs. M. Saviano, Corte Madera Ct.: Addressed Council concerning her presentation to Council several meetings ago relevant to the master bicycle path plan and asked Council to clarify their position in this respect for the Pathway Committee. After a brief discussion, the matter was agendad for discussion at the next Council meeting, and the City Manager was directed to listen to the tape of the meeting referred to by Mrs. Saviano and report back to Council at that time. E. CONTINUING BUSINESS: 1. Appointments to Noise Abatement Committee: Councilwoman Miller nominated Mrs. Beverly Rudolph, Elena Road, stating Mrs. Rudolph's qualifications for that Committee. Mayor Grabowski nominated Mr. B. L. Pfefer, who had indicated his willing- ness to serve on this Committee after his resignation from the Pathway Committee. `r There being no further nominations, this item was closed and Council voted unanimously to appoint Mrs. Rudolph and Mr. Pfefer to fill two of the four existing vacancies on the Committe for terms of two years. -2- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - April 3, 1974 2. Discussion of, and appointments to Ad Hoc Committee to Review u get: Mayor Grabowski stated that he had submitted a Memo to Council suggesting such a Committee for Budget Review which would allow for active participation by the citizens, and asked members of Council if they had come prepared to make nominations for such a Committee. Councilman McReynolds indicated that he had come prepared to discuss such a Committee but not to make nominations. Discussion ensued between Council members and Staff relative to the time frame of such a Committee, when the budget document would be ready for such a review, and the time the Committee would have to prepare its recommendations. Mayor Grabowski stated that the first order of business was to determine whether Council was in favor of such a Committee; and Moved that .an Ad Hoc Budget Review Committee be formed. Councilwoman Miller seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by Council. The Committee now formed, Mayor Grabowski called for nominations from each Council member according to the procedure established for the Public Works and Open Space Committees: Councilman Cheney nominated Mrs. Alma Wood, Summitwood Road for District #5. Councilwoman Miller nominated Mr. Bernon Gottlieb, Summerhill Road for District #1. Councilman Helgesson nominated Mr. William Hahn, Ascension Drive, for District #2. Mayor Grabowski nominated Mrs. Harold Schick, Weston Drive, for District #3. Because of the relatively short time span involved, Council agreed to approve the nomination to be submitted by Councilman McReynolds, and when he had made his selection, he could inform Staff. Nominations were closed and Council voted unanimously to approve the names placed in nomination to the Ad Hoc Budget Review Committee. There followed. discussion on the best time for the Committee to review the budget docu- mentand the date of May 15th was set as the initial date when the preliminary budget would be completed by Staff. In response to a question by Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski said that Council members could sit in attendance at the Committee meetings, pro- viding there was no violation of the Brown Act and that Council members would not participate in the discussions. -3- 4 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - April 3, 1974 3. Draina a Requirements, Lot 24 Olive Tree Court Mr, and Mrs. L. TaMen—IT7-Mmers. tottheaValenti'screquestnforvCouncil's determinatione Council background on the odrapertaining drainage requirements on their lot. The original recommendation of Staff was for the construction of two catch basins to handle the runoff of water on the private road onto the public road. Mr. and Mrs. Valenti had petitioned Council on the basis that this was an undue hardship, and Council sub- sequently revised the requirement to building site approval to one catch basin after a field trip to the site. This revision was made with the understanding that the conditions would be reviewed after the heavy winter rains to determine whether any catch basins were required. Mr. and Mrs. Valenti were present this evening to ask Council's reconsideration of the requirement for drainage. Mr. L. Valenti, 687 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara, explained to Council that the drainage problem was not caused by their property, and he and his wife did not feel they should be forced to solve the problem of drainage from cother osts withhbors otherpneighbors on thHe e private roaed that d werewilling feitithe Town's the decision was inequitable as it stood. Commissioner Donald Spencer, representing the Planning Commission concurred with the applicant and stated he felt their claim was legitimate. City Enghisineer Alex knowledge wassell onlysaid basedhat the on whatlot hadhad 'not happenedestudied regardingthis floodingeIna� previous years. Council requested legal opinion of City Attorney to the Town's responsibility in this matter. Councilwoman Miller stated that Staff had been directed to observe this property this winter, and that she felt at the time this matter came before Council previously that the drainage requirements imposed were inequitable, and had not voted in favor of such a requirement. Mr. Gillio, in response to questions by Council, listed several alternatives open to Council at this time to solve this problem: 1) Council could continue the requirement as imposed; 2) Council could waive the require- ments ishro could ffe neAssessment rict topay fordrainageimpements,ithneghbors on the road were not willing to solve the problem. Counch to solveithenHelgen probleo oandisaidtafeel morethat one equitableatch soluti nnwoulddbeetonassassess every homeowner whose property abuts the road. %, Councilman McReynolds moved, seconded by Councilman Nelgesson to continue the requ eirement for one catch basin on Lot byy 2 commissioner' Spencer's request speak4. er sion ensued, floor. followed -4- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - April 3, 1974 Speaking from the Floor: Mr. Donald Soencer, Sherlock Road: Stated strongly that he felt that Council should recons der this requirement in favor of the Valenti's. The question was called and the above motion failed by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen Helgesson and McReynolds. N0: Councilwoman Miller, Councilman Cheney, Mayor Grabowski MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman McReynolds moved, seconded by Councilman Cheney and unanimously carried to waive the installation of one catch basin as a condition of building site approval on Lot 24, Olive Tree Court. B. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: At this time, Mayor Grabowski presented former Mayor Helgesson with a mounted gavel placque indicating his term of office as Mayor, and ex- pressing the Town's appreciation and gratitude. Councilman Helgesson accepted the presentation and thanked Council and to the citizens of the Town for this remembrance. F. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS BY COUNCILMEN: 1. Mayor Grabowski: a) Stated that if the new Council members were planning to attend the New Mayor's and Councilman's Institute of the League of Calif. Cities Conference in Monterey. there would be no quorum for the first meeting in May. Councilmen Cheney and McReynolds indicated that they did not plan to attend, so there was no necessity to reschedule the Council's meeting. 2. Councilwoman Miller: a) Brought to Council's attention a letter received by firs. Fava, Town Historian, from Dr. Dunn, Foothill College, indicating that the College was not willing to expend the sum necessary for the upkeep of the Willard M. Griffin home located on the campus, and designated by the Town as a historical site. She felt the Town should go on record opposing any plans the College might have of razing this site. Council agreed, and Staff was directed to prepare a Resolution opposing any move by the District to demolish this historical site. -5- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - April 3, 1974 3. Councilman Cheney: a) Presented views to Staff and Council relative to the reports received by Town from the Security Patrol. He felt the report was inadequate and should be more detailed, presenting suggestions to Council on what information such reports should contain. Council concurred that the reports should be more detailed, but should not contain classified information, since the file was public. They also agreed there was no necessity for receiving these reports in their packets, but they should be made available at the Town Hall upon request. Speaking from the Floor for a more detailed report: Firs. Irma Goldsmith, Chairwoman, Traffic and Public Safety Committee. Mrs. T. Schick, Weston Road. G. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION: 1. Ordinance N amending far MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Council- woman Miller and unanimously carried to waive further reading of the Ordinance and introduce it by the Title. Upon introduction, Councilman Cheney objected to the contents, and the wording of the Ordinance. Councilman McReynolds agreed and suggested that this Ordinance be referred to the Traffic and Public Safety Committee for study and recommendation prior to any action by Council. The suggestion was put into the form of a motion, seconded by Councilman Cheney, and unanimously approved by Council. Speaking from the floor against such an Ordinance: Mrs. M. Saviano, Corte Madera Ct. 2. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Council- man McReynolds and unanimously carried to waive further reading of the document and introduce the Ordinance by its Title. City Manager Bruce Lawson explained that Council's adopting of this Ordinance would give the Town authority to cite for violations of that section of the Municipal Code pertaining to bicycles. 10 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - April 3, 1974 During Council discussion, Councilman Cheney stated that the Ordinance was too restrictive and moved to refer it to the Traffic and Public Safety Committee for study and recommendation. Councilman McReynolds seconded the motion and Council unanimously concurred. Councilman McReynolds also made the suggestion that Staff refer Ordinances to the appropriate Committee prior to being submitted to Council as a matter of course. Speaking from the Floor opposing the Ordinance: Mrs. M. Saviano, Corte Madera Ct., who felt citations was the wrong approach to solving the bicycle problem. H. STAFF REPORTS: I. City Manager: a) Mr. Lawson reported on the Santa Clara County Bicycle Safety Project meeting he had attended with Mrs. A. Ginzton, and said that the County Program was finally off the ground. Books on bicycle safety, as well as other printed material were now ready for distribution to the schools within the County, and the Program looked very promising. b) Said that the Town, according to the Calif. Vehicle Code, could not have the words "School Xing"at the entrance to the St. Nicholas School off El Monte Road, and that the school would be so notified. The cross- walks, however, had been re --stripped. c) Directed Council's attention to several letters received from Mrs. Goodrich, Horseshoe Lane. Mrs. Goodrich requested action on the traffic problem existing on Arastradero Road at Purissima, citing accidents that had occurred there because of the problem. Council, upon motion by Councilwoman Miller and a second by Councilman Helgesson, agreed unanimously to refer this letter to the Traffic and Public Safety Committee for study and recommendation. Mrs. Goodrich also wrote concerning a small piece of property adjacent to IS280 below Horseshoe Lane, which none of the owners had improved and which had become a visual problem. Mrs. Goodrich indicated she would be happy to incur most of the expenses of improving the property, or even purchasing it, but asked for Town support in this endeavor. Councilwoman Miller moved that Staff be directed to investigate the possibility of purchasing the referenced land, and simultaneously refer Mrs. Goodrich's letter to the Environmental Design Committee for study and recommendation. Councilman Helgesson seconded the motion and it was %, passed unanimously. -7- L CITY COUNCIL MINUTES-- April 3, 1974 d) Advised Council that the Secretary had omitted sending the letter now before them from Mr. Michael Stewart in their packet. He expressed interest in filling the vacancy existing on the Traffic and Public Safety Committee. Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilman Cheney and unanimously approved that Mr. Stewart be appointed to the Traffic and Public Safety Committee for a two year term. e) A letter of resignation had been received from Mr. James Mueller, Chairman of the Planning Commission. Council agreed to agenda the matter of one vacancy that would then exist on the Commission until next meeting. f) Because the letter from Mr. McCorquodale of the County Board of Supervisors was received too late for discussion, Council asked Council- man Helgesson to use his own discretion regarding the proposed Santa Clara Valley Manpower Board Council also directed Staff to relate letters received after the packets had been distributed, but to hold correspondence until the following agenda. g) Letters received from residents on Canario Court regarding a culvert were agendad until next meeting so Council could study the matter. h) Demonstrated three samples of stack chairs for use in Council Chambers, and gave prices for each. Council agendad the discussion until next meeting. 2. CITY ENGINEER: a) Relative to the overlay work the Town was to have undertaken in con- junction with the City of Los Altos along E1 Monte, Mr. Russell asked if Council still wished to pursue such work. Mr. Russell was requested to get the prices on the overlay work and to report back at next meeting, b) Advised Council that the California Paving Company will get started on Section i and 3 of the Elena Road project and wondered if they had any direction on Section 2. After a brief discussion, Council consensus was not to make any decision on Section 2 at the present time. 3. CITY ATTORNEY: a) Informed Council that he had prepared a title to the Resolution to be sent to Foothill College which could be acted on by Council this evening. SD L CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - April 3, 1974 ar MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman McReynolds moved, seconded by Councilman Cheney and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution #759 urging the preservation of the Hillard M. Griffin Home. b) Advised Council that the disclosure forms due on April 30th would not have to be filed pending the decision of the Supreme Court of the State on this matter. c) Relative to a constitutional amendment repealing Article 34 of the State Constitution regarding low rent housing, Mayor Grabowski requested that Mr. Gillio prepare a resolution opposing the amendment for next meeting. d) Reported to Council on his findings on the burning of storm damaged growth. All burning must be reported to the Air Polution Control Board by the Los Altos Fire Chief, and permission to burn must be received from him. I. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Traffic and Public Safety Committee: Mrs. Irma Goldsmith, Chairwoman, reported to Council on the Committee's AW study of a letter referred to them by Council from a group of residents on Altamont Road regarding traffic conditions. nu The Committee recommended to Council that stop signs be installed at Altamont Road and the Natoma Road intersection, and along Altamont at Black Mountain Road. They also recommended that the traffic island orginally planned for Altamont Road at the Natoma intersection be installed. Mayor Grabowski thanked Mrs. Goldsmith and the Committee for their analysis of the problem and discussion ensued between Staff and Council. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Council- man Cheney and unanimously carried that the recommendations made by the Committee be approved, and a Resolution be adopted for the stop signs as recommended. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Mrs. Mildred Gallo, speaking for the Los Altos Hills Association, requested Council's assistance in resolving a conflict of meeting dates between the Environmental Design Committee and the Hills Association on the third Monday of each month. Council consensus was that this problem could be resolved in the interim of other facilities being available when Town Hall was remodeled. Staff was directed to bring the matter before the Env. Design Committee. -9- 40 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - April 3, 1974 4W Mayor Grabowski mentioned that nominations to LAFCO would be coming up at the next meeting of the Mayor's Committee of the Inter -City Council. Councilwoman Miller nominated Councilman Helgesson and Mayor Grabowski seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved by Council. Staff was directed to prepare a letter of nomination to the Mayor's Committee of the Inter -City Council. J. EXECUTIVE (PERSONNEL & LITIGATION) SESSION: Council adjourned to Executive Session at 11:35 P.M. K. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 A.M. -10- Respectfully submitted, Norma J. Hislop Deputy City Clerk