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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/07/1974TOWN OF LOS .ALTOS HILLS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Auqust 7, 1974 CC: Reel 67 Side 1, Tr I - 000 -End Side 2, Tr 2 - 000 -End Side 1, Tr. 2 - 000 - 054 Mayor Stanley Grabowski called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:35 P.M. in the Multi -Purpose Room of the Fremont Hills Elementary School, 26800 Ortega Drive: A. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski & Comm. Lachenbruch for Planning Commission. Staff: City Manaqer Bruce Lawson, City Attorney Frank Gillio, City Engineer Alex Russell, Planning Consultant George Mader, TGwn Geologist William Cotton, Deputy City Clerk Norma Hislop. [ Press: Los Altos Town Crier -Mr. Mark Levine Palo Alto Times - Mr. Ned MacKay San Jose Mercury -Mews - Mr. Chuck Anderson B. CONSENT CALENDAR: At the request of Planning Comm. Spencer, Item 4 b) was removed from t{:e Consent Calendar for senarate consideration. Item 1 was removed at the request of Mayor Grabowski, and Councilwoman Miller asked that Item n .i) be also removed. MOTION SECONDED AP10 CARRIED: Councilman Helqesson moved, seconded by Councilman Cheney and unanimously carried to adopt the remaining items on the Con -enc Calendar, namely: 2. Approval of Harrants: $86,444.48 3. Actions of Variance F, Permit Commission: a) Granted BSA for Lands of Owens, Tract 3327, Lot 3, Hilltop Drive, File #BSA6019-74, subject to conditions recommended by Staff. 4. Resolutions for Adoption: a) Resolution #301 accepting sanitary sewer, Jarvis Lane: [ c) Reso. #802 supporting SB 1693. 4W CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - August 7, 1974 d) Reso. #803 supporting AB3329 e) Reso. #804 supporting AB 3911 f) Reso. #805 supporting AB3159 g) Reso. #806 supporting SB 1393 J) Reso. #807 opposing SB1729. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION: 1. Approval of Minutes: July 17, 1974 (Regular Meeting) July 22, 1974 (Adjourned Meeting) July 31, 1974 (Adjourned Meetinq) August 3, 1974 (Adjourned Meeting) Mayor Grabowski noted that in the Minutes of July 17th, P. 8, Dr. Joseph Ignatius' name was incorrectly spelled; on P. 12, para. 3, Mrs. Steinber(,J's first name should be corrected to Geraldine. In the Minutes of July 22nd, P. 1, correct Mrs. Steinberg's name to Ceraldine and note that she is a Santa Clara County Planninq Commissioner. The Mayor also stated that he would refrain from voting on this item since he was not present at that meeting. 40 In the Minutes of July 31st on p. 2, para. 3 under the discussion of the City Clerk/City Manager - Supplies and Other Services, the third motion should be deleted. Under Finance -Supplies and Other Services the vote should be corrected as follows: (Page Two of Minutes of July 31st) AYE: Councilmen Helgesson, Miller, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilman Cheney ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds 4. h) Discussion was held between Council members regarding recommendations made by Mayor Grabowski concerning bills pending before the State Assembly and Senate. The Mayor said he had made these specific recommend- ations as the Town's legislative representative. After further dis- cussion, Council agreed that they would like to have the Mayor continue to make recommendations, but that these items should not be placed on the Consent Calendar, but at a more approoriate place on the Agenda. Mayor Grabowski also noted that he agreed with CounciL;,,oman Miller that the Council should urge passage of AB 2040 rather than oppose this measure an the City Attorney had been instructed to draw up this Resolutio. E 4. b) Commissioner Spencer noted that the applicant requesting an extension 4/ in time for the filing of a Final Map (Koo Subdivision, File #396-72) had asked for two years and questioned why Staff was only recommending a -2- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - August 7, 1974 one year's extension on this request. City Manager Bruce Lawson responded that Staff felt that a two year extension of time might place the Planning Commission and City Council in the position of having to approve a final map thaat the time .t Paight not be in thecpres ntnce with thestudies being conductedeonathe Subdivision Ordinanceshis relatesofo the LA4 Municipal Code. Discussion ensued between Staff and Council concerning the applicant's legal rights, and the reason for the request. Because a separate motion would be required on this topic, motions were made as follows: MOTION SECONDED MID CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilman Cheney and unanimously carried to adopt the items removed from the Consent Calendar as amended above, with the exception of Item 4 b). MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Councilman Helgesson to approve a one year extension for the filing of the Final Map, Koo Subdivision, File #396-72. Motion passed by the followina roll call vote: AYE: Councilman Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilwoman Miller C. SPECIAL REPORTS: 1. Reports of Standing Committees: a) Public Works Committee re: Altamont Road Repairs: Referencing a written report submitted by the Public !,forks Committee regarding the repairs to Altamont Rsad recommending that an alternative to reconstruction be seriously considered, Mr. Lawson noted that Coun_il had directed Staff to prepare specifications and call for bids at their previous meeting. Mayor Grabowski thought that any Council action shrwl^_ come atter the bids are opened, and Councilman Cheney agreed that tris was warranted. Councilman Ciicney stated that the Public Works Committee ses.;�cd to be floundering as to what,specifically, was expected of them in relation to their charges. He reed excerpts from the Co.mittee's report regarding an informal survey which had been done and their conclusions. Csuacil- nan Cheney said the basic issue here was that the Committee should be a viable Committee, and if Council did not wish this, then the Committee should be disbanded. Councilwoman Miller stated that since Council had already voted in favor of the Altamont Road repairs, that Councilman Cheney's discussion wnuld 4101 be more appropriate under the discussion on the Budget. The Mayor agreed -3- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - August 7, 1974 4W and thought that any argument or rebuttal should be at the time of the bid award or under the Budget discussion. Speaking from the Floor: Mr. Matt Altenhofen, Chairman, Public Works Committee: Commented that the Memo from the Committee pointed out the type of things the Committee felt they should get into prior to any decisions being made. He suggested that in the future that any major construction being considered by the Town should be referred to the Committee, and that Council should routinely refer them to the Committee before action was taken. Councilman Cheney moved that that before any major reconstruction and/or contracted maintenance is approved that Council refer them to the Public Works Committee for recommendation, and that Council schedule this matter under "Special Orders" for next Council meeting. Mayor Grabowski seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by Council. Councilwoman Miller, however, commented that Council had made a decision on Capital Improvements Plan, and asked why Council seemed to be backtracking instead of looking forward to next year. Councilman McReynolds also said he would like to see the motion broadened to include a discussion on how the Committee relates to Council. It was agreed by Council that these to topics would be discussed at the next Council meeting. 2. Presentations from the Floor: a) Mrs. M. Davenport, Purissima Road: Said the Horsemen's Association would like to upgrade the Town's 'Horses at Home" pamphlet and include a map along with the dos and don'ts of horsemanship. She said the Association was willing to do all the work required, but was requesting that the Town pay the costs of printing. The City Manager commented that any map that might be included at this time would be premature since the Town was currently doing a study of paths and trails. Discussion followed, and it was noted that Mrs. Irma Goldsmith had written the current booklet and she had not baen consulted about the Horsemen's proposal. Council felt that in view of the fact that Mrs. Goldsmith had not been contacted, that the Association's first move should be to contact her regarding her feelings on the matter, and that Council would consider the matter at a later date if some agreement could be reached by both parties. Mrs. A. Idood Stonebrook Drive: Felt Horsemen's Assn. should absorb comp ete costs o any go- et. F9rs. M. Saviano Corte Madera Ct: Felt more was involved in this matter inc u RA9 poss a ego ramifications and urged Council to L consider seriously any future decision that might be made. -4- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - August 7, 1974 Because of the lateness of the hour, the Mayor asked for Council's consent to move on to Special Orders and consider Item 0 at a later time in the evening. Council concurred with the exception of Councilwoman Miller, who objected to not hearing the Arterial Bikeway Plan at this time. E. SPECIAL ORDERS: 1. Public Hearings: a) Segregation of Assessment #107 S.A.D. #3, Lands of Golston: The Mayor declared the public hearing on this matter was now open. No objections or comments were put forward, and the public hearing was declared closed. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Council- man McReynolds and unanimously approved to adopt Resolution #609 confirming the amended assessment, S.A.D. #3, Assessment Nos. 107A and 1076. Speaking from the Floor: Mr. Wyler, 26530 Weston Road: Asked exactly what the text of this Resolution. City Engineer Alex Russell clarified Mr. Hyler's question on the transfer of assessments. 2. Resolution # setting Budget for FY 1974-75: Mayor Grabowski informed the public that if a Budget is adopted it would be done by Resolution rather than Ordinance so that it would be more flexible and a guide to City administration. He said at this time before further items were discussed by Council, he would open this item to the public for comment at this time: Speaking from the Floor: Mrs. T. Schick, Heston Road: Felt that any plan of action and goals should e a er to. uest one several apparent discrepancies between the proposed Budget and the Computer Run, which the City Manager clarified. Mr. Fred Brutsch Chairman Bud et Review Committee: Spoke regarding the u get eing t e nager s too an the oh11050pny behind having such a budget. He commented that the Committee had made certain recommendations, but the decisions were to be made by Council. He hoped that individual items would be looked at and also look at the relative emphasis the Town was placing on specific items. Strongly suggested a Performance Budget which would allow the Town to set objectives and then be able to see more clearly if they were being done. Copies of the Budget Review Committee's budget were distributed to the public laced ondtheaviewgraphesomade of the the residentstcouldagseesSummary the budget Sheets etsummary. -5- ` CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - August 7, 1974 Mr. Lawson explained the City Nanager/City Clerk's summary; city Council budget summary and the Summary of the General Funds. He also explained the funds for Parks and Recreation. Mr. Donald S encer, Sherlock Road: Commented that Council should consider t e n ation actor w en setting a tax rate for the Town. Also spoke on the geologic studies undertaken by the Town and stressed their importance. Mrs. A. t•lood member Budget Review Committee: Commented that the Committee d not w sh to e m nate any essential work necessary by the Town, but was only concerned that in certain instances there might be a duplication of effort. Mrs. M. Saviano Corte Madera Ct.: Expressed her concern that Town was not ge ing is moneys wor as ar as Planning was concerned. Mrs. J. Carico, O'Keefe Lane: Supported the Planning Commission Chairman, Mr. Spencer's, comments regarding the geologic survey, and asked that Commissioner Lachenbruch be given the opportunity to address the question. Commissioner A. Lachenbruch Plannin Commission re resentative: Referred Counc to etters rom t e ounty ann ng Department an the U. S. Geologic that Survey which that d the ethe kTown had of uan obligationntoch stuies, adaprovidlso e t such vital information for planning purposes. Mrs. Gallo LaLanne Court: Felt that Town should pay for portion of such stu ies, ut t at new eve opments should assume some of the costs. Discussion ensued between public, Staff and Council regarding the Town's liabilities, how protected the Town would be even if the studies were done, and what alternatives might be available. Mr. Lloyd Russell, Recreation leader Purissima School: Concerned about the Bu get evmew Committee s recommen atmons. Urged Council to continue its support of the Program, which he felt was needed. He did not agree with the change of location suggested by the Committee. Council unanimously voted to extend the time on this item, and the Mayor closed the public hearing portion of the Budget at 9:40 P.M. The following will be a capsule of discussions which ensued relative to each item undertaken by Council. The pages referred to are pages in the City Manager's proposed Budget; GENERAL FUMD - City Council Supplies and Other Expenses - Page 12: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Council- woman Miller and unanimously carried to approve the revised total of $3,930 for this item. -6- f CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - August 7, 1974 Budget - FY1974-75 (cont'd): GENERAL FUND - City Manager/City Clerk, Page 18: Councilwoman Miller commented that since Council would be interviewing for this position that any decision or setting of policy would be premature. She therefore moved that Council accept the recommendations of the City Manager on this item. Councilman Helgesson seconded the motion which passed by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilman Cheney GENERAL FUND - Planning, Page 34 After discussion, Councilman Cheney moved to delete the Special Studies portion of the Planning budget, and the motion was seconded by Mayor Grabowski. Motion failed by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilman Cheney, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilman McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Councilman Helgesson. Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilman McReynolds to approve the Planning budget as proposed. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen McReynolds, Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilman Cheney GENERAL FUND - Non -Departmental, Page 37 Councilwoman Miller moved to reduce Account H10-1520, Office Suoplies,frcm $6,000 to $5,000, which was seconded by Councilman Cheney and unanimously approved by Council. Councilman Cheney moved to reduce Account k10-1534, Cpmnunications, to be reduced to $2,100, but the motion failed for lack of a second. Councilwoman Miller then moved that Page 37 be approved as amended. The motion was seconded by Councilman McReynolds and passed by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilman Cheney GENERAL FUND - Building and Safety, Pages 45 thru 50 L Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Councilman Helgesson to approve this item as recommended. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller NO: Mayor Grabowski -7- 60 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - August 7, 1974 Budget - FY 1974-75 (ront'd GENERAL FUND - Engireerinn, Page 55 After discussion, Councilman Cheney moved to reduce Account #10-1811, Wages -Part-time Draftsman to $2,200. The motion was seconded by Mayor Grabowski but failed by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilman Cheney, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilman McReynolds, Councilman Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller Councilman McReynolds moved approval of Page 55 of the Engineering Budget with the condition that the City Engineer be directed to report back to Council with a break -down of the workload and goals of the Part-time Draftsman. The motion was seconded by Councilman Helgesson, and passed by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen McReynolds, Helgesson, Councilwoman hiller, Mayor Graboowski NO: Councilman Cheney GENERAL FUND - Public Works - Streets�PaGe 65 Councilman McReynolds moved, seconded by Councilman Cheney to delete Acct. #10-1953, Heavy Rolling Equipment, Motion carried by the following roll AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Mel"Sson, Mekeynolds, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilyxon Miller FIVE YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - Pages 139 thru 145 After discussion, Councilman Cheney moved that the amount of m ne;/ budgeted in the Five Year Capital Improvement Program for Streets be the maximum amount authorized, but that no specific projects be approved cr undertaken until Staff presented Council with specific goal.=., guideTlnes and objectives. Mayor Grabowski seconded the motion which passed unanimously. At this point, the Mayor asked Council to hear Mr. Niltor, Minckley, _p22_king for the Environmental Design Committee, concerning a possible cmissiou from the Budget, which he felt Council should consider. Speaking from i:h* Flocr: PIr. pilton Mirck'RZ, Secreta r Environmental Design Comni_ttee: Soakc r:dative to projects undertaken :. st they had presented to Council and said that in order to continue their W !<, the Committee would be requesting monies from Council to continue thair wort. -8- to CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - August 7, 1974 Budget - FY 1974-75 (cont'd): Mr. Lawson informed Council that Account #10-2139 (pp. 70-71) included $500-$700 for use by the Environmental Design Committee for such things as Landscape Architect fees. He said the funds for the projects them- selves, such as the median strip improvement projects was not included since it was not known at the time that the projects would be forthcoming. He said that the Committee could come before Council with specific requests as the projects were undertaken. GENERAL FUND - Community Services-Re_c_reation, Page 74 Councilman Cheney, after discussion, moved that the Recreation Program at Purissima School be deleted from this portion of the Budget. The motion was seconded by Mayor Grabowski and failed by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilman Cheney, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilmen Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller After further discussion, Councilman Helgesson moved to approve the Community Services budget as recommended. Councilwoman Miller seconded the motion which passed by the following roll call vote: ` AYE: Councilmen Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilman Cheney Speaking from the Floor: Mrs. T. Schick, Heston Road: Objected to the Recreation Program Mayor Grabowski said that all pages of the Budget have been before Council and approved, deleted, or amended. He said the next order of business would be to adopt the Budget. Councilman Cheney commented that even though he was against many items in the Budget and had voted accordingly, he was in favor of the Town's adopting a Budget to be used as a guideline for the efficient administration of the Town. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Council- woman Miller to adopt Resolution #810 setting the Budget for Fiscal Year 1974-75 as approved, deleted and amended by Council action. The motion carried unanimously. Council was in agreement that a tax rate would not be set until the City Manager reported back to Council with the total revised Budget adopted by Council, and this item was agendad for the next regular Council meeting on August 21st. -9- `, CITY COUNCIL MIMUTES - August 7, 1974 Council agreed to hear the following items out of order as they appeared on the Agenda to accommodate those in the audience waiting to be heard: F. GENERAL ORDERS AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Foothill College Assessment District: Mr. Travis Iihitney, Assistant City Engineer, City of Cupertino, addressed Council relative to the Assessment District formed in order to expand parking facilities at De Anza College, make certain improvements in the access roads and other improvements to improve the internal traffic flow of the campus. Mr. S. Kanqes of the Consulting firm of Brian, Kanges and Faulk addressed himself to the reasons the District found it necessary to undertake these improvements, what open space would be gained and what space would be lost as a result, and the particular problems which needed remedy. He said the assessment would be a 8.05 per hundred dollars of evaluation for the period of one year only. Council proceeded with discussion, and Mayor Grabowski said that essentially Council was frustrated that the assessment had been passed by the College District without consulting the Town. The Mayor thanked Mr. Whitney and Mr. Kanges for taking the time to come and explain the project to Council. Council unanimously voted to extend the time of the meeting of the City Council to whatever time it took to complete the business at hand. D. STAFF REPORTS CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUMCEMENTS: 1. Discussion of Arterial Bikeways Plan for Santa Clara County: Discussion ensued between Staff and Council members on the report and map submitted for Town approval by Santa Clara County regarding the proposed arterial bikeway system insofar as it related to the Town. Council had no objections to the arterial plans, but expressed concern about the specifications for the feeder system and the specifications set forth in the report. After further discussion, Councilwoman Miller moved that council instruct the Town's representative that Council was in agreement with the arterial system as described, but in disagreement with the accomparyinq report. Mayor Grabowski seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved by Council. Staff was then instructed to transmit this motion to Mrs. Artemas Ginzton, the Town's representative to the Santa Clara County Bicycle Committee. V 2. Acquisition of property along Altamont and Moody Roads for delinquent taxes. -10- 6 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - August 7, 1974 The City Manager informed Council that the property in question would go to the State for default of taxes, and the Town had the option to purandcwhy theepropertyPropertyif it owners hadschosen topletnit goenature of the property through default After discussion, the motion was made by Councilwoman Miller, seconded by Councilman Heigesson to acquire the subject properties in the amount of $106.92 payment in back taxes from the State of California. Councilwoman Miller seconded the motion, and it was unanimously carried by Council. 3. Mayor Grabowski directed Council's attention to an item which should have appeared on this evening's agenda relative to the City Engineer's report dated July 29th relative to drainage problems at the intersection of Canario Drive and Viscaino Nay in which he asked for Council approval for his project. He asked Council to address the issue of the catch basin. Councilman Helgesson moved to accept Mr. Russell's recommendations, seconded by Councilwoman Miller, and the motion carried unanimously. a, Mr. Lawson asked Council if they had any resolutions to present to the League of California Cities for their meeting on Resolutions. Council 4Wconsensus was that there was a number of items they would like to discuss, but no specific resolutions at this time. Under General Orders, the matters concerning the Traffic and "ublic Safety Committee recommendations regarding the traffic survey was agendad until the next Council meeting. Item 4 a) was withdrawn by the applicant, Mr. Saladin, who had undertaken the geologic study as recommended by Staff in order to obtain building site approval. 4. b) Lands of William Happ. Tract #1583, Lot 7, Taaffe Rd., Paul Nowack, Engineer, File # BSA 6021-74. Mr. Lawson explained that the applicant was petitioning the City Council for relief from the requirement of the Planning Commission that a soils test must be done prior to building site approval. Planning Commission representative Lachenbruch addressed himself to the question, stating that the Geologist of the Town had discovered that two major faults were found in the vicinity of this property, and felt that the Town had an obligation to require that a study be made to determine if these faults, or any portion thereof, existed that might jeopardize any building on this property. Both the Town Geologist, William Cotton, and Planning Consultant George t Mader spoke regarding their findings and why they felt it was necessary V to have the studies made on this application. Mr. Cotton noted that a Similar study had been done on Mr. Saladino's property as required by the -11- t CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - August 7, 1974 Lands of William Happ (continued) Planning Commission, and a fault had been found, which, fortunately, did not interfere with his building site which was located far enough away so as not to present a hazard and met the requirements of the State in locating a residence away from such a fault. Speaking from the Floor: Mr. William Ha A licant: Addressed himself to Council regarding the anm ng Comm ss on requ rement, and cited the letter he had presented to Council concerning the matter. Discussion ensued between Staff and Council regarding the costs pf such a study, the legal ramifications, and the opportunity which was provided in the Code for the application for a variance that was open to the applicant. Councilman Cheney made a motion, after further discussion, to grant relief from this requirement, but the motion failed for lack of a second. Council unanimously agreed that no relief" would be granted from the require- ment imposed by the Planning Commission. Speaking from the Floor: Mr. A. Saladino: Relative to the requirements of the State and the Town re ative to so s and geologic tests. G. MF.W BUSINESS: 1. Recommendation by Fire Marshall relative to Town Council Chamher addition: Regarding the recommendations made by the Fire Marshall relative to the new Council Chambers, Staff was instructed to follow-up the request by discussinq details with the Marshall and reporting back to Council. 2. Mayor Grabowski suggested that the office hours of Towa Hall be open to the Public from 8:00 until 5:00 P.H. Councilman McReynolds seconded this motion which was unanimously carried by Council, and Staff was so instructed. H. ADJOURNMENT: Council adjourned at 12:45 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Norma J. Hislop Deputy City Clerk -12-