HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/04/1974Aw CITY COUNCIL
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
December 4, 1974
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Mayor Stanley Grabowski called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order
at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chamber of Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road:
A. ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski
Absent: Councilman McReynolds, Comm. Lachenbruch for Planning Commission
Staff: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Attorney Frank Gillio, City Engineer
Alex Russell, Deputy City Clerk Norma Hislop
Press: Mr. Chuck Anderson - San Jose Mercury -News
B. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Grabowski announced that Item 5 b) would be deferred to an Executive
Session proceeding this evening's meeting.
City Engineer Alex Russell requested that Item 5 a) be removed since the Agree-
ment was not ready for presentation at this time.
Councilman Helgesson requested that Item 1, Minutes of November 20th, be re-
moved from the Consent Calendar.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilwoman Miller moved, seconded by Councilman
Helgesson and unanimously carried to adopt the remaining items on the Consent
Calendar, namely:
1. Approval of Minutes: November 15, 1974 (Special Meeting)
November 18, 1974 (Adjourned Meeting)
2. Approval of Warrants: $38,890.91.
3. Actions of Variance & Permit Commission:
a) Granted BSA, Lands of Brown, File #6017-74, subject to conditions imposed.
4. Actions of Planning Commission:
a) Approved Tentative Subdivision Map, Lands of Chesarek, two -lot subdivision,
File #2003-73, subject to conditions imposed.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - December 4, 1974
CONSENT CALENDAR (cont'd):
5. Resolutions for Adoption:
c) Resolution #836 ordering participation in publication of prevailing
wage rates with Santa Clara County.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION:
1. Approval of Minutes: November 20, 1974 (Regular Meeting)
Councilman Helgesson suggested that Item E 2 h) on this evening's Agenda
reflect the wording in the Minutes of November 20th, specifically, Shall
the School Districts operating within the Tads boundaries permit the
singing of traditional religious songs of all lands in the Schools." Council
agreed.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Councilman
Helgesson and unanimously carried to approve the Minutes of November 20, 1974.
C. SPECIAL REPORTS:
1. Presentations from the Floor:
4W a)Mrs. T. Schick Weston Road: Asked Council to consider the placing
of reflectors in the par ing area Of Town Hall because of the poor
visibility at night.
Council directed the City Engineer to investigate ways and means of
solving this problem.
b) Mr. R. J. Hahn Es 2ER Dntrive: thPresented petition to Council which
had been signed by 3 resi es of e Town, the body of which reads as
follows: "We, the undersigned residents of Los Altos Hills, protest the
proposed establishment of a corporation yard on the Los Altos Hills Town
Hall property on Fremont Road, or the operation or storage of machinery
thereon such as to cause an audible or visual nuisance to the surrounding
residential community."
Mr. Hahn suggested that the Ad Hoc Corporation Yard Committee which had
been formed be re -activated to study alternatives to solve this problem.
D. STAFF REPORTS:
1. City Engineer:
a) Report on Silent Hills Development Company protest to Altamont trunk
line fees:
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L CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - December 4, 1974
STAFF REPORTS (cont'd):
Mr. Russell reported on a letter written by the Silent Hills Development
Company protesting the payment of $100.00 fee for connection to the Altamont
trunk line for a parcel of land located on Julietta Lane.
Councilman Helgesson commented that it should first be established whether
the parcel in question was originally in S.A.D. #2 before such a refund was
made.
After discussion, Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Mayor Grabowski,
that the fees paid by the Silent Hills Development Company for a sewer
connection charge be refunded if the City Engineer found this to be in order.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Mayor Grabowski
NO: Councilwoman Miller
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE HEARD OUT OF ORDER FROM THEIR APPEARANCE ON THE AGENDA:
F. GENERAL ORDERS AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
040 1. Action on Traffic and Public Safety Committee recommendations regarding
stop signs:
After discussion with City Manager and Mrs. Irma Goldsmith, Chairwoman of the
Traffic and Public Safety Committee, the following actions were taken by Council:
a) TAAFFE at ELENA - 3 -way Stop: Carried by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Mayor Grabowski
NO: Councilwoman Miller
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds
b) ELENA at NATOMA - Elena for uphill traffic: Failed by following vote:
AYE: Councilman Cheney, Mayor Grabowski
NO: Councilman Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds.
c) PAGE MILL at ALTAMONT: Outside Town jurisdiction. No action taken.
SPEED LIMIT SIGNS:
d) MAGDALENA - IS280 to CAMINO HERMOSO: Failed by following vote:
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CITYCOUNCILMINUTES - December 4, 1974
GENERAL ORDERS & UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
d) cont'd:
AYE: Councilman Helgesson, Mayor Grabowski
NO: Councilman Cheney, Councilwoman Miller
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds
2. Consideration of Open Space Committee:
Councilwoman Miller presented her recommendation to Council that an Ad Hoc
Open Space Committee be formed for a period of not more than three months,
for the purpose of studying possible open space acquisition and establishing
a priority list for any future purchases. She suggested that if such a
Committee is formed, the charges should be: 1) Research records to determine
what open space is available for purchase; 2) Determine method by which land
can be purchased; 3) Establish priority list.
Councilwoman Miller felt this could be done without the expenditure of any
Town's funds, and the Committee could come up with definite recommendations
so that the Planning Commission and Council would have a solid plan for the
acquisition of open space.
OAV Speaking from the Floor:
Mrs. T. Schick, Weston Road: "I strongly feel there isn't a need for an Open
Space Committee on Los Altos Hills. I fought, and I will continue to fight,
to retain the founding concepts of our Town. Los Altos Hills provided for
open space by requiring one acre minimum, single family dwellings when it
incorporated nineteen years ago next month. Open space provision has further
been increased by our slope density zoning ordinance where the number of lots
decrease according to the slope of the land. We were, and are willing to pay
to maintain the minimum one acre requirement. Our Town presently owns 79+
acres of Byrne Preserve, the O'Keefe acreage, land on W. Edith and Fremont,
and the recreation land on Purissima.
"In 1970, before the Mid-Peninsual Regional Park District was formed, before
the purchase by them of the Blair and Perhem acreage, 1800 residents of Los
Altos Hills were surveyed by the Los Altos Hills Association. Two of the
questions asked of them were: 'Do we have sufficient open land?' The majority
of the replies were 'yes'. The second question asked was, 'Should we spend
additional taxes to obtain more open space?' The majority of the replies were
'no'.
"We are presently being taxed $.10 per $100 assessed valuation for the Mid-
Peninsual Regional Park District. There is a limit to the load the taxpayer
can bear. He has to buy, maintain, police, and then carry the open space which
46, pays no taxes. Let's set our goals in preserving our Town and not working to
exclude people who want to live in a minimum one acre zoning, single family
Town, like Los Altos Hills."
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING - December 4, 1974
E. SPECIAL ORDERS:
1. Action on Recommendations from Joint Study Session of 9/24/74:
Mr. Crowe commented on recommendations proposed by the Standing Committees
and Planning Commission at the Joint Meeting in September, and summarized
the recommendations for Council action this evening.
Speaking from the Floor:
Mrs. Florence Fa va Town Historian: Commented that she had not been included
in t e propose reconmen M ons and wondered if a list of charges and term
of office had been prepared for the Town Historian.
Council directed the City Manager to prepare such charges and a recommended
term of office for the Town Historian for presentation to Council at the next
meeting.
Because the last Pathway Committee Minutes had not been delivered containing
their recommendations, action was deferred until next meeting. Mrs. Patricia
Standring, Secretary, spoke on behalf of the Committee.
t On a motion by Councilman Helgesson, seconded by Councilwoman Miller, Council
`, unanimously agreed to proceed to act on each item in the order in which they
appeared in the Memo from the City Manager, as follows:
TRAFFIC AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:
A. Reduce membership from seven to five member Committee. Approved by the
following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds
NOISE ABATEMENT COMMITTEE:
A. Reduce membership from seven to five member Committee: Approved by the
following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN COMMITTEE:
A. Reduce membership from seven to five member Committee: Approved by the
` following roll call vote:
v AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - December 4, 1974
GENERAL ORDERS & UNFINISHED BUSINESS (cont'.d):
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:
A. Recommended that all Standing Committees exchange Minutes: Approved by
the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski
NO: None
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds
2. Action by Resolution Title on Proposed Advisory Ballot Measures:
City Attorney Frank Gillio advised Council that there is no legal authority
existing for the submission of purely advisory propositions. He said the
Attorney General held that the Elections Code, Section 4019, 'requires as a
minimum that the proposition submitted shall clearly indicate that, if passed,
a definitive legislative enactment shall follow."
After hearing the report by the City Attorney, proposals c, f, and h on the
evening's Agenda were withdrawn from consideration at this time.
e Mr. Gillio submitted his legal opinion concerning the power of the City to
�+ condemn and acquire the Purissima Hills County Water District.
Speaking from the Floor:
Mrs. Irma Goldsmith Elena Road: Against any action by Town to acquire the
Water Distr ct.
Mr. Robert Buss Pa a Mill Road: As a member of the Board of Directors of the
Water Distr ct, gave rstory of District and suggested that the Directors
and Council sit down at a joint meeting to discuss better communications and
any problems there might be.
Mr. David I nnsen, Sherlock Court: Felt voters should know more about the
issues before t e Water District proposition went on the ballot, and thought a
complete study should be done on this matter.
Mr. Dan Alexander Elena Road: As a member of the Board of Directors of the
ater District an as a private citizen, urged Council to hold off on any
decision on this matter until it could be determined that the residents would
benefit from any such action. Also suggested a joint meeting with Board and
Council.
Mr. R. K. Stone, Altamont Circle: Concerned whether water service would be as
good as it is now if Town were to take it over.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - December 4, 1974
SPECIAL ORDERS (cont'd):
Speaking from the Floor (cont'd
Mrs. Gerta Hinton: In favor of meeting of Board and Council before any action
was to en.
Item 2 b) under Special Orders, Shall the Town enter into a general obligation
bond to upgrade streets and storm drainage:
Mr. Keith Brown. Black Mousinntain Road: As a member of Public Works Committee,
Te-- was against measure ce the Committee believed the road conditions could
be corrected without a bond issue.
Mrs. Florence Fava, Moody Road: Against several of proposals because of
founding concepts of the Town.
Mr. Dan Alexander Elena Road: Urged Council to undertake special studies and
ba ort voters so t ey wou be able to vote intelligently on any item placed on
ballot.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Councilman
Helgesson and unanimously carried to defer any decision on the proposed ballot
measures appearing on the Agenda as Items E 2 a, b, d, e, and g until next Council
meeting.
3. Open Space:
a) Exercise of o tion to purchase additional land from the Nature
Conservanc B me ark reserve
Because of a pending grant application before the State for the purchase
of open space, the City Manager advised Council that if the Town exercised
its option to purchase an additional parcel of land from the Nature
Conservancy at this time, the grant would be forfeited. He therfore proposed
that Council enter into an agreement with the Nature Conservancy for an
extension of time in which to exercise the option to purchase land.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilman
Cheney and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution #837, approving and authorizing
execution of addendum to Agreement between the Town and the Nature Conservancy.
G. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Councilman Cheney:
a) Reported on conference he recently attended with Commissioner Young on
` the Community Development Block Grant Program.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - December 4, 1974
NEW BUSINESS (cont'd):
Speaking from the Floor:
Commissioner Youn Reported on ways monies could be spent by the Town, and
thoug t t e own s ould proceed with its application for these federal funds.
Speaking against application for funds:
Mrs. Florence Fava, Moody Road Mrs. T. Schick, Weston Road
Mrs. M. Gallo, La Lanne Court
Mrs. L. Gould, Ortega Drive
Mrs. A. Wood, Summitwood Road
Mr. Crowe advised that if Council decided to continue, the first public hearing
would be scheduled for December 18, 1974, and a second public hearing held
at the first Council meeting in January.
After further discussion between Council, Staff and Commissioner Young,
Councilwoman Miller moved that the Town proceed with the preparation of the
check list and application for funds under the Community Development Block
Grant Program, and directed the first public hearing be scheduled for
` December 18, 1974. Councilman Cheney seconded the motion which carried by
the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller
NO: Mayor Grabowski
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds
b) Councilman Cheney reported on the last meeting of the Santa Clara County
Planning Policy Committee and asked for any comments Council might wish to
make regarding solid waste disposal.
2. Councilwoman Miller:
a) Spoke regarding the City of Palo Alto's opposition to the construction
of a new Dumbarton Bridge and urged Council to adopt a Resolution supporting
Palo Alto in its opposition.
After Council discussion on the matter, Councilwoman Miller moved, seconded
by Councilman Cheney and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution #839
opposing construction of a new Dumbarton Bridge.
b) Regarding information received that the Palo Alto Unified School District
was considering the closing of Fremont Hills Elementary School, Councilwoman
Miller urged Council to take action opposing such a move in time for the
E Board of Trustees meeting on December 10th.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - December 4, 1974
NEW BUSINESS (cont'd):
Council unanimously approved the adoption of Resolution #838 opposing the
closing of Fremont Hills Elementary School and directed Staff to forward
copies to the Board of Trustees of the School District in time for their
meeting on December 10th.
H. ADJOURNMENT:
Council adjourned to an Executive (Personnel) Session at 11:15 P.M. and
returned to adjourn to the next Regular Meeting at 12:05 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Norma J. Hislop
Deputy City Clerk