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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/22/1974TORN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING flay 22, 1974 CC: Reel E3, Side 1, Tr. 1: 1300 -End Side 2, Tr. 1: 001 - Mayor Stanley Grabowski called the Adjourned fleeting of the City Council to order at 4:00 PM in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road: 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski Staff: City Manager Bruce Lawson, City Attorney Frank Gillio, Building Official Richard Wolfinger, Deputy City Clerk Norma Hislop Mayor Grabowski asked Council consent to re -arrange agenda items to take care of those items requiring the least discussion first. Council agreed. 3 City Manager Bruce Lawson explained that this approval of the Amendment was a pro -forma action by Council which was necessary for the City of Palo Alto to amend the existing Sewer Agreement with the Town. He stated that all assessments and fees relating to this amendment had been paid by Land Resources, Inc., developers of the Matadero Oaks Subdivision. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilman McReynolds and unanimously carried to adapt Resolution #772. 3. Discussion of Ballot Propositions #1 and #9 Proposition #1: Mr. Lawson explained the essence of this proposition, wFich was a $z5o,000,000 bond, of which $150,000,000 would be given to the State Department of Parks and Recreation. This money, in turn, would be made available to the various counties for the purchase of parks and open space. Cities would also receive a portion of these funds. Councilwoman Miller inquired as to what portion of this money would go to Santa Clara County. Mr. Lawson responded that he believed the figure would be around $4-$5 million dollars. Councilman Cheney stated that he did not think this matter was one for %W Council action; that it was a matter for the individual voter to decide 10� 1. Minutes of Adjourned Meeting - May 22, 1974 G Councilwoman Miller stated that on Page 2 of the Minutes of May 22nd, under the discussion of Prop. 9, she and Councilman Cheney had voted against the tabling of this discussion. The Minutes should be corrected. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - May 22, 1974 L for himself. Councilman Helgesson agreed with Councilman Cheney, and thought that some publicity might he given to the County's share of the money, and the Town's portion which amounted to approximately $18,000 of the bond, then the individual voter would be able to decide the matter. Councilwoman Miller motioned that the Council endorse proposition 1 on the June 4th ballot, but it failed for lack of a second. Pro osition #9: Mr. Lawson said that this proposition would amend the tate Const tution, as opposed to the State Election Code, and dealt with campaign reforms. Councilman McReynolds made the motion to Table this discussion, which was seconded by Councilman Helgesson. Councilman Cheney said he could make the statement that individually, he supported the proposition and would vote for it, but felt an endorsement by Council was not in order. Councilman Helgesson commented that his concern was that a Commission would be set up which would be allocated one million dollars per year and whatever other money was necessary to combat inflation. He said that this proposition would not affect Town officials, because only those business concerns within the Town limits needed to be declared. Mayor Grabowski called for the question, and Council unanimously voted to table the discussion on Proposition Q. 1. Resolution #773 awarding bid on Town Hall remodeling: City Manager Bruce Lawson summarized the bids received on the proposed remodeling of Torn Hall, and stated that the low bid had been received from the firm of Gearhart and Spivey in the sum of $17,923.00. The bid had been reviewed by the City Manager, City Engineer, Building Official and Architect, who felt that it was reasonable and recommended that Council award the bid to that firm. Councilman Cheney expressed concern that this was not just an expenditure of $17,923.00, because the remodeling of the Town Hall for additional office space would necessitate the expenditure of additional money for the construction of a new Council Chamber. He suggested that the original pian for extending the present offices in a northerly direction might be adequate and would not interfere with the capability of holding public meetings. He also noted that Mr. Minckley, architect, had been very patient, and suggested that he be recompensed for any additional work he might do on the Town's behalf. -2- ucm CITY roumcIL MIHUT[S - nay 22, 1974 Councilman Helgesson commented that there had been a plan for the type of extension referred to by Councilman Cheney which had been discussed very thoroughly at past meetings. He said this plan started last summer at the meeting of August 15, 1973, and Mr. Hinckley was requested to ask for bids on that set-up. The bids were rejected on Sept. 5th, and, on that basis, Mr. Hinckley was asked to refine the plan. On Oct. 17th, Mr. Hinckley came back to Council with the revised plans on the Town Hall expansion. This plan was to house all Departments in one building. Councilman Helgesson stated that Council had discussed this matter further at their meetings of Dec. 5th, Jan. 16th, and on February 6, 1974, heard a proposal from the City Manager to try to do the necessary remodeling with Town employees. Since the remodeling involved the use of public monies, the job was required to be put out for bids, which were before Council now. He felt that for Council to go back to the original plans would be taking a step backward, and he was of the opinion that Council should "get the show on the road." Councilman Helgesson moved to adopt the necessary Resolution awarding the bid to Gearhart and Spivey, and Councilwoman Miller seconded the motion. In response to a question by Councilwoman Miller, Mr. Lawson noted that the present bid was valid for thirty days from the bid opening. He also i noted that if the Federal Revenue Sharing funds were not encumbered by June 3g, 1974, the money would revert to the Federal Government. In order to change plans for the expenditure of these funds, the Town must serve notice and conduct public hearings, and there was not enough time to do so, unless an extension of time were granted by the Secretary of the Treasury. Speaking from the Floor: Mr. Fred Brutschy, Magdalena Ave.:Regarding costs of replacing Council i:hambers. Mr. Grover Cox,Conejo Ct.: Expressed concern over "big government." Mrs. Alma !Mood, Sumnitwood Road: Asked why this matter was not on Council agenda a moot ago. punt responded that the matter had been on-going over a period of several months. Mr. Grench, Conejo Court: Asked several questions relating to structure an wet t wou affect a corporation yard. Mr. Gardner Bullis, Manuelia Ct. Mrs. M. Gallo, Laf.anne Ct.: Regarding length of time new plans had been su tte an a t e oven's philosophy of minimum government. firs. Irma Goldsmith, Elena Road: Regarding replacement costs for new Chambers and inquiring about possibility of the Town's buying the Gardner Bullis School. -3- rr CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - May 22, 1979 A discussion ensued then between Council members and Mr. Minckley reqarding possible costs of replacing the Council Chambers, whether the proposed Chambers would be within the required setback lines, and where the additional money would come from to cover this additional cost. Mr. Lawson explained that Council had determined that present Federal Revenue Sharing monies received by the Town had been earmarked to cover this cost. Councilman McReynolds then called for the question, and Resolution #733 awarding the bid for the remodeling of Town Hall to Gearhart and Spivey passed by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilman Cheney Mayor Grabowski addressed himself to the City Manager, stating that in view of the fact that Council had voted to expend a sum of money close to $60,000, and many citizens would be disappointed who expected to have their roads repaired, he hoped something would appear in the Budget that would satisfy the demands of the citizens in this regard. He thought Staff should expeditiously proceed with road repairs, and that the City Manager's administration would be viewed in a bad light if he did not address this matter promptly. Councilman Cheney commented that in view of the fact that all of the funds set aside for remodelinq purposes would not be used, it might be in order for Council to consider reimbursing Mr. Minckley for some of his time and efforts. He moved that Council and Staff work up a contract to that end. He felt that Mr. Minckley, on that basis, might consider over- seeinq the project to its completion. Councilman Helgesson seconded this motion, and it was unanimously agreed to by Council. 5. Budqet Review w/ Ad Hoc Budget Review Committee: Before discussion beqan, Mayor Grabowski asked Chairman Fred Brutschy if his Committee would be willing to undertake an examination of the reports received from citizens regarding assessed valuations and report back to Council with their findings. Mr. Brutschy responded that the charges already before the Committee at the present time was very time consuming, but he would check with the members of his Committee. Re ort b Ad Hoc romnittee: Mr. Brutschy summarized the written report from t e Budnet Commttee or the Council. The Committee felt the budget document was overly complex and must be simplified - that the present 'W format was unacceptable. -4- CITY COUMCIL MINUTES - flay 22, 19711 The Committee also felt that the data provided in the monthly computer runs was meaningless, and the run was not as useful a tool as it could be. fir. Brutschy went through the remaining items on the report with the Council. Upon completion, Mr. Lawson responded. Mr. Lawsont stated that he agreed with the Committee that the monthly computer run might be revised. He stated that the information provided on the run presently was of use to him, but the subject of changing the format had not come up before, and this could be channed to provide Council with any additional information they may want to see. Discussion ensued between Mr. Brutschy, Council, and City Manager, regarding items contained in the Committee report. Mayor Grabowski asked Mr. Lawson if it would be possible for him to meet with the Committee to see whether suggestions they made could be implemented into the Budget. Mr. Lawson agreed. Councilman Cheney suggested that direction be given to the Budget Review Committee as to what information Council wanted, so that at the next joint meeting, specific line items could be discussed. Sneaking from the Floor: Commissioner J. Carico, O'Keefe Lane: Inquired about Committee's review of Panning Budget. Mrs. A. Wood, Member of Budget Committee: Stated that the Committee would like to have an interoretat on o t e ublic WorkS Budget. 6. ADJOURNMENT: The meetinn was adjourned at 6:30 PM to the Regular Meeting of the City Council on June 5, 1974 at 7:45 PM. Respectfully submitted, Norma J. Hislop Deputy City Clerk