HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/04/1974TTI N CF LOS. ALTPJ Ha I LJ
v LITY C07"01 -
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
Saptcaber 4, 1974
cc: Reel 68: Side 1, Tr. 1 - 001-464
Ma,mr Stanley w. Grabowski called the regular meeting of the City Coancil to
order at 7:30 P.L1. in the Board Room of the Foothill College District Offices,
12345 E1 Honte Road, Los Altos Hills:
A. RCI.L CALL:
Present: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor
Grabowski; Co-mmissioner Schick for Planning Commission.
Absent: Councilman McReynolds
Staff: City Maracer Bruce Lawson, City Attorney Frank Gillio, City
Engineer Alex Russell, Deputy City COerk Norm Hislop
Press: Los Altos Tnwn Crier - Mir. M.3rk Lavine
Palo Alto Tires - P•ir. Jay Johnson
San J^sc Riercury-News - Mr. Chuck Anderson
B. CO!_!SENT C4LEHI_:RR:
The followirg items were removed from the Consent Calendar for separate
con s i de -ati on:
Item 1 - At the request of Mrs. M. Gallo, La Lanne Cf.
Item 2 - At the rc,,,uest of hers. A. Spencer, SPIeriock Rd.
Item 4 d) - At the rr_Gu qt of Cayrissioner Schic:,.
Tho I1ayo:^ also rc`Ad that the Poso',uticn epsrrving contract with °enfold
Fssnciates for a traffic survey had he n emitted from the eve ing's acenda
and wnuIn be considered item 5 d).
MCTICN SECTT D AND CARTK^: Ccuncilwcman Mi filer moved, serenc'ad by Cocrcilman
Cheney and unanimously approved to adopt the remaining items on the Consent
Calendar, namely:
3. Actions of Variance & Permit Ccmmiss+.on:
a) Approved Building Site Approval, Lams of Russi, subject to conditions
imposed.
b) Approved Beilding Site Approval, Lands of Saladino, subject to
conditions imposed.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 4, 1974
4. Actions of Planning CcMissicn:
a) Dcnied rea-x-t for from building moratorium. Tentative
Subdivision, La0-1 et ezb C-aeo, Matadero Heil,hts.
b) Denied re up.t for exnnetinn from building moratorium, Tentative
Subdivisino. Lands oi' Costello.
5. 3csGlUtions'nr AOC -tion: .
a) Resole:t'.on 6216 calling for bids on Sale of Improvement Bonds,
S.A.D. #30.
b) Resolution #817 approving and authorizing execution of agreement
between Tckwn of Less Altos Hills and William R. Cottnn.
c) Reoolrrtion 118 approving Form of Cestriction and crrtificate of
Acceptanca relating to the arquisitirn of real pre^erty from the Palo
I Alto Unified Sr:600l 'District and authorizing exel. ion thereof.
d) pesolutio*, 819 approving contract with Penfold Associates for
ti•ci'1c suiPly.
`, IT RF!7,, r1r.� Cn,tc,,�� CAI,E 7A.4 [COLcrPAR.�IE CQ"! 1C_F.RATIOY_:
i
1, Prpirova7 of Mir+ates: August 21, 1574 (Regular fleeting)
' c, -skim; `�p+n..=:•.r'
!",,•s. M. Gann, La L,,.rne ct.: Wished to clor'fy her statcrnt at the meeting
' cGncern rl ,h,,! t ,nut ; PF k(u t i, 1974. Mr Gallo ssa ed that he had
statef th t.:t it r s b,c_rj ir+ rr n }' apparent that re t5inu s> of
the Gi �•!6f L'1 i dad :?^.: r'C it eC'. bli?at. gees Gn dt t.}7a cN.. r.il iK^2 t'.rt;5.
Mrs. Gallo elso that 39e he'd nada a stutcv=nt ie•! r nc a., :c^d
e {:ng which had m:,t ber:; incti>.el -i+c k'',..atas.
sp.n..
statement whi.-,h she regeelted be included for the rotors:
" "I want to gG on record that I on rat cpe !:irg for any gro". ='" %`c,-,n,'!ation,
but as one of the many re -,idents in Oil- t-TiM who is vitaiiy Co, te*'nes! with
a major threat t_ oar ration and `_o e!:r to�•m as %all- unnecessary expenditures
and inflation. Our town was foUrd�d ca the principle of mini+ac:n government
and minimum expcnditUres. Since Januar„ 1973, the cost Gr- our local -govern-
and
has skyrockreted to $2uu,GfO. 47e are a teem of irpro;1rately 2,100
homes. This does not soucd like small town governmerit to me.
"As one example of how a small project can became an overblown monster with
increased tests and overhead: increasing the srecialized Town Staff resulted
in the Town Hall being converted entirely into office space. The Town
`' Manager was most emphatic in stating that m:rely enlarging Town Hall was not
sufficint to of new
CouncileChambers.
Notetthe hfirst fallotment off. This e$15,000 ofssitated hrevenue i
sharing
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 4, 1974
"monies resulted in a cos-riaad cost of $70,000. This does not include the
future increased r -;n and upkeep.
"Another exanple was the purchasing of a $12,000 ri ce of read raaehinerY
eouplad wits r+rurrhs�e of serIe ::mailer pieces. Thi; has led to tiro
follawing ramiticatiorz of storage, a:mpiaints of Town Nall neighbors,
maintenance, insi'rance, etc. This problem is still with us. I could co on,
but 1 f?al Co,;ncil realizes what I an stating. I respectfully submit that
each e,cperditure be carefully scrutinized before it is approved. ''!hail MY
ste.rt cut by being a se?mingly small expense can grow way out of propc'rtion.
The setting of the tax rate is coming up tonight and Counc'a should seriously
consider cuttinj the tax rate by $.10 and thereby setting an exnmpte tint
they are earncsc and sincere in what they have stated - minimum government
with minimum expense."
The Moyor also noted that in this evening's agonda under Iem E 1), that because
of Council action the pravious meeting, the warding should be "Motion to take
from Table Crd. re Abandoned Vehicles.
2. Arp:•c"al of 11 rrants: $77,5885.56
L Mrs. Ain `rencrr, S�z,I^ck Rd., gvestinned W.=^.rrant f'8R4, asking what work
�r tii; cp2ci%ica17Y d. 'i ha hiaycr r<=�.nrn:?ad that tf,is .ras a contractual
obligation of the 'Fawn fr..r plan checkirg services.
4. d) P'.arriirr Cn^enicsian recrmT.ar anon on request for a1, 17r�^rcrt of
�thx'ey, 2d:,C1 Fre:cbn'r, R:;ad.
g a m, ,•,;,'ono r r ^n pnr o„t in cr a f
k.t r C r. r,•".. r Srhi ck ha n ,< ,.a e .: „ e ^
this SuW ct no, being or. face 'Tern '+;:. r,. ,:�.ia�” oLed t ztc:�
should i:e cr-,=..etely remcyc^ frsn the lc^sof:t C,l ,id r and pi„c0 rsrt'rlar
along under l::am F, General Ores.
r„
NOTION SFrONO D (.r 7 f4Rr'aD: roe.” ', ran !ro
Heigessoo and uran, -sl; apF n':.J .o accept the , en r ma td from th. Ca.uert
^
Calendar as amended arG revised.
C. SPECIAL REPO(:TS:
1. Presentations from the Floor: None
The Mayor noted that Mr. W. MinAley, Secretary of the Environs:ental Design
Committee had requested permission to address Council after the Agenda had been
printed, and would appear later in the evening.
D. STAFF REPORTS CORRESPONDENCE_AID ANNOUNCEMENTS:
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1.
City Attorney:
Mr.
Gillio gave the
background of Parcel Map #5470
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L CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 4, 1974
aw
and the request that the road be charged from its Present "no access" to
,.no vehicular access". After investigation, his reconcr-:,
:dation was or
Council to authorize the City Engineer to sign the corrected parcal map.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman He%osson moved, s�-ccndcd by Ce ncilman
Cheney and unanimously carried to authorize the City Engineer to sign tis-,
revised pac,cel map for Tract 5470.
2. City Engineer:
Mr. Russell reported that the Elena Road project (Gas Tax Project #25) .:zs
nearing completion and he expected the contractor to finish within the Next
few weeks. He said that from an engineering standpoint the read was a great
improvement from the previous road.
Discussion ensued between Staff and Council regarding that portion of Elena
Rcad above the bin wall and whether a permiaj,,snt railing was planned for the
sharp curve. The possible use of reflector lights was discussed, with
Councilman Cheney recommending that the Traffic and Public Safety Committee
be directed to study the matter and report to Council with recommendations.
Council so agreed.
` The City Flanager reported that many favorable rc.mnents had core in from
residents of the area who at first thought the improvements planned rroeld be
more drastic than was the case.
Sfeaking from the 0007:
Commissioner Schick asked about the lett.cr referred to the Plarnir„ Cc�issan
from the City Attorney. The flavor stated 'chat Nh•, Giilic vmuli hs t::i'cre
the Planning Commission Chairman regard9;:9 ",.itis m-stter.
3. City Manager:
Mr. Lawson reported to Council the change in tte meet; -,,g place cf the ;.^�'•-r-
City Council scheduled for Thursday, SeptEmber 5th.
E. SPECIAL ORDERS:
1. Ordinances for Adoption:
a) Motion to take from Table Ordinance re Abandoned Vehicles.
Mayor Grabowski commented that he felt strongly that such an Ordinance
was needed by the Town and therefore would move that it bo taken from
the table. The motion was seconded by Councilman Helgesson and passed
by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilman Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski
NO: Councilman Cheney
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds.
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jw CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 4, 1974
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved to waive further reading
of the Ordinance and introduce it by its title, seconded by Councilwoman Miller
and passed by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilman Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski
NO: Councilman Cheney
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds
2. Public Hearings:
a) 1974-75 Sewer Service Charges, Palo Alto Basin:
Mr. Lawson explained the sewer service charge in the Palo Alto Basin is
$90.00 per year plus a 1% County collection fee, for a total of $90.50.
lie said there were 226 properties currently connected to the
Palo Alto sewer system and a report describing each parcel and the amount
of charges for the forthcoming year had been prepared and was on file
at Town Hall.
The [layer declared the public hearing open at 9:05. There being no
objections or ccrments from the floor, the Mayor declared the public
hearing clostYi at 9:07 P.M.
` MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by C:!;ncilman
Cheney to approve the 1974-75 Sewer Serrice charges, Palo Alto Basin. Tha motion
carried by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Courcil.aoman Miller, Mayor Grab',xaki
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds.
GENERAL ORDERS & &UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Reconsideration of conditions of approval of Tcntatire Map, Mi ody Ha ;Eats
Subdivision (Silent Hilts Development Co.), 1M2007-74, Paul Ncsaack, En,n..ine r.
Mr. Lawson gave background on the list of conditions fe firs 0 the
tentative map for this subdivision, in the -t Staff had t";t all
existing substandard and non-conforr^ing structures ba ra-cvad pr' :,r to
acceptance of the Final Map. Howxver, Council, at ti:e'ir mceiino of d:<ne 12,
1974, had modified the condition on the ap;:eal of a Mr. Dress, £d641
Road, who occupied one of the homes. Since that time, Mr. Drcws has moved
from the property and Staff was requesting that Council determine whet,,er
they wished to reconsider their modification of Condition k7 at this time.
Speaking from the Floor:
Mr. Murle Fritschle, representing Silent Hills Development Co., addressed
Council and said that at the present time, the Company would be willing to
�. abide by any decision that Council made regarding the non -conforming structures
on the property in question.
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L CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 4, 1974
Mr. Fritschle commented that the Company had planned to have a student livp
in the building as a watchman for the property, but at the present time, the
house in question was vacant.
The City Attorney rendered his legal opinion that the modification of the
original condition had been made for the accommodation of Mr. Draws, and that
since he no longer occupied the property Council could, if desired, revert
to the original condition recommended by Staff.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilwsman
Miller that the exception to Condition N7 of the check list for Moody Heights
Subdivision be removed and that all buildings of a non -conforming nature be re-
moved prior to the filing of the Final Flap. The motion carried by the following
roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski.
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds
2. Planning Commission recommenuation on request for abandonment of Pathway,
25561 Fremont Road (Miller property):
Discussion was held between City Engineer and Council retarding the subject
pathway and its deteriorating condition. The Mayor comarented that C2an:il
was in the position where it must advise Staff of w at the T�,�tn wante" to Go
and authorize the expenditure of finds In improve tilt, rat':, if rnesl_e?.
Council heard Mr. Russell's recor„-nend_,ticrs, v:hat stn?s rod *n fa I 'jj,a!71 to
prevent further deterioration, and the path's present stabil'i'ty.
Councilman Helgesson moved that the City Engineer be authcrized to alp ?:'hat -
ever steps were necessary to improve the condition of ti:e pat;?,
Councilwoman Miller, which failed by a tie vote.
The Mayor offered to amend the motion by e. ,Hng th?t the cns'i
exceed $2200, but the moticn failed for lsck of a second.
Councilman Helqesson moved that the iteaj*o.n aoendad unill 'a +• -��ts ng
Council agreed, with Councilman CBeney requesting til ?::e City i7;t 1nser
make a report on possible alternatives to solve this problea.
3. Appointments to Standing Committees:
a) Noise Abatement Committee: Councilwoman Miller suggested to Council
that they consider making this committee a five member ceaamittee, as
opposed to seven. Council agreed that this suggestion could be studied
at the forthcoming joint meeting between Council, Commission and Committees.
b) Environmental Design Committee:
f6v Councilman Cheney nominated Mrs. Beverly Rudolph to the Committee, and
the nomination was unanimously accepted by Council.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 4, 1474
c) Noise Abatement Committee:
Councilman Helgesson nominated Fir. John R. Hearn, 147.21 Miranda Drive,
to fill the vacancy existing on the Committee, which was unanimously
approved by Council.
Fir. Lawson noted that a vacancy existed on this Corvnittee resulting f-om
the re -appointment of Firs. Rudolph from Noise Abatement to Environmental
Design.
d) Traffic and Public Safety Committee:
Councilman Cheney said it had been brought to his attention that Mr.
Pydell, who was appointed to the Traffic and Public Safety Committee at
Council's last meeting, was not yet a resident of the Town.
Staff was asked to investigate the matter and notify Mr. Rydell that
members of Standing Committees must be in residence at the time of their
appointment.
3. Selection of Council Chamber Assembly Chairs:
t Mayor Grabowski commented that Council seemed to be at an impasse insofar
`+ as finding a chair that all could agree upon for the public in the rew
Council Chambers.
After discussion, Council agreed to defer any decision on the matc,r for
the time being, suggesting that new samples could be locked at fi-ar. tip"e to
time until the proper one could be foul:5.
Speaking from the Floor:
Mrs. Fi. Gallo, LaLanne Ct: Thouaht citizens should have some say in w;bat
kind of chairs Council selected.
Mayor Grabowski directed Council's attention to a letter received from Lha
Chairman of the Planning Commission and the mor..o from the Plan:zinc"onsuY:ant
regarding a possible extension of the Town's Urban Service Are:. Ce arse any
change in the present boundary would have to be requested iron: LAFCO prior to
their meeting in October, Council directed that this matter be placed on their
next agenda for determination.
UNSCHEDULED BUSINESS:
Special Report - Mr. Hilton Hinckley, Environmental Design Committee:
Mr. Minckley reported on the cost of improving the median strip along
E1 Monte Road. He said that the desian work had been completed, but that
#4V the cost of improvement, including irrigation would be approximately $6500.
He commented that the median along Arastradero Road could be done for a cost
of $500-$600, with Staff assistance and the help of townspeople.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 4, 1974
Mr. Hinckley, on behalf of the Committee, was requesting Council's approval
to put the E1 Monte median strip project out for bid.
To clarify questions regarding the $4500 which had been budgeted, Mr.
Lawson explained0 was for e of the needed,mandeatfor theProfessional
ei
endofthe
year some of the money could be used for plants. He said the money did not
include capital improvements, but these should be supplemental appropriations,
which would come out of the unappropriated reserve budget.
After further discussion, Council asked that Mr. Hinckley submit the plans
for the E1 Monte improvements before any decision was made. The matter was
put on the September 18th agenda.
Report on Town Hall Remodeling:
Discussion ensued on estimated completion date of the new Council Chambers,
landscaping plans and alternatives which might save the Town money. Mr.
Hinckley said that landscaping plans for the Town Hall property would be
submitted no later than the first Council meeting in November.
When it was suggested that a citizen's group do the landscaping, the Mayor
and Council were amenable, but felt that definitive plans should be sub-
mitted before any decision was made.
G. ADJOURNMENT:
Council adjourned at 9:00 P.H. to an Executive Session on Thursday, SOt. 5,
1974 for Personnel reasons.
Respectfully submitted,
Norma J. Hislop
Deputy City Clerk
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