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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/21/1973CITY COUNCIL TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING February 21, 1973 REEL 50 Side 2 Track 2 129 -End REEL 51 Side 1 Track 3 000-008 Mayor Leslie Helgesson called the regular meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:50 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. A. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmen Davey, Grabowski, Kubby, Miller and Mayor Helgesson Mayor Helgesson read from the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code concerning condui�,t of participants at council meetings. The cooperation of all present was :r sled in maintaining the prescribed order. B. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION: a. Resolution approving joint exercise of powers agreement between all ` cities in Santa Clara County and the County of Santa Clara for the Bicycle Safety Project of Santa Clara County. 2. MOTIONS FOR ADOPTION: a. Motion approving list dated February 21, 1973 of applications/permits as trivial in degree of environmental impact as submitted by the City Manager. b. Hotion granting renewal of business license for boarding stable (Shalom Acres) located at 24970 O'Keefe Lane for period from February 28, 1973 to March 1, 1974. Owner: Z. Brandstetter c. Motion designating Mrs. Irvin H. Solt, Jr. as alternate Town Represen- tative to the Inter -Community Council (participation authorized by the City Council on January 17, 1973. Councilman Davey designated as Representative on February 7, 1973.) d. Pbtion changing official office hours at Town Hall to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until June 30, 1973, at which time this procedure will be reviewed. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Councilman Davey and carried unanimously to adopt the CONSENT CALENDAR. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 7, 1973 Councilman Grabowski suggested that the pages of the Minutes be numbered. Corrections: Page 3, D.2; statements from the floor pro or con should be recorded in the Minutes. Page 4, G.1 "carried unanimously" omitted. Par.2,Line 2; Page S. G.2 unclear; "Discussion ensued relating to other uses that might Par. 2; be made of this money, i.e. tax rebate, payment of debts, de- fense against de la Raza suit, better paths, etc. Councilman Davey suggested the matter be discussed further as an item on the agenda of the February 21, 1973 Council meeting. Speaking from the floor: Dr. Grossman spoke regarding there being no need to remodel City Hall, and the salaries of the staff. Mrs. Carico Councilman Davey went on record as being against misstatement of facts as to salaries of City Hall staff as expressed by Dr. Grossman. Mayor Helgesson took exception to Councilman Davey's comments, stating that City Manager Lawson had in fact not saved the Town money by restaffing the office. He requested the City Manager to provide Council with actual salary costs for the months of October, November and December, 1972, as well as projected costs." Page 5; omission that Councilman Miller left the meeting at 11:20 p.m. Councilman Kubby took exception to Councilman Grabowski's comments that the Minutes should be edited to show opinions pro or con from the floor and that a councilman's departure from the meeting for minor reasons should be docu- mented in the Minutes. Discussion ensued resulting in ^ouncil concurrence that the Minutes should show statements of definite opinion from the floor for or against an issue when solicited by Council, and that deparwre of councilmen from council meetings for noteworthy reasons should also be included therein. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Miller moved, seconded by Councilman Davey and adopted by 4 to 0 vote (Councilman Kubby abstained due to his ab- sence at the last meeting) that the Minutes of February 7, 1973 be adopted as corrected. D. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Councilman Grabowski questioned City Manager Lawson on various warrants. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Davey moved, seconded by Councilman Grabowski and carried unanimously that the Warrant List of February 21, 1973 in the amount of $16,695.27 be approved. E. CURRENT BUSINESS: 1. Discussion of qualifications for membership on Town Committees. -2- The City Manager summarized his feeling as a basis for discussion that the Environmental Design Committee should be comprised of 5 members; 2 architects, 1 landscape architect, 1 engineer and 1 lay person who is esthetically oriented. Councilman Grabowski commented that the City Manager's recommendations were well taken, but possibly too stringent. An alternative should be sought as persons bearing the qualifications suggested by Mr. Lawson might be difficult to find in the community. Perhaps two lay persons might serve on the Committee. Councilman Davey suggested that Mr. Lawson's suggestions might be a worthy aim, but that membership should be open to all who wish to apply. Mayor Helgesson called for persons interested to apply for this committee stating qualifications. Speaking from the floor: Mr. Donald Spencer Councilman Miller stated that stringent qualifications were not what the Council had in mind when initiating the idea for the Committee. Speaking from the floor: Mr. David Jansson Councilman Grabowski suggested that the matter be put over until input is given the Council by the various committees now reviewing the draft Resolution of the Town of Los Altos Hills relating to Standing Committees, with Mayor Helgesson and Councilman Davey suggesting that applications be far invited for positions on this particular Committee only in the meantime. Council concurred on this approach. F: CONTI14UING BUSINESS: 1. Discussion of proposed ordinance limiting use of projectile -throwing devices (continued from meeting of 2/7/73). Councilman Grabowski reiterated his views that a forceful ordinance should be adopted, especially where the private transportation of weapons is concerned. Discussion ensued regardinq the ordinance being directed toward giving the Sheriff more authority to enforca t',, la, triW' the possible end of prohibiting hunting in Los Altos Hills altogether. Councilman Miller will meet with the Fish and Game Commission in Sacra- mento next week to see what can be done about precluding hunting and shooting in the community, after which time she will meet with Councilman Grabowski and City Attorney Faisant to draft the ordinance. Council concurred to continue the matter to the March 7, 1973 regular meeting of the City Council, pending further input from Mrs. Miller. Speaking from the floor: Mr. A.M. Laws for strict gun laws in Town. 2. Discussion of Revenue Sharing as to potential uses of funds (continued from meeting of 2/7/73). 44W City Manager Lawson read the purposes for which the funds may be used. -3- Speaking from the floor: airs. Theodora Schick for use of funds for recrea- tional purposes and to pay off Town debts. Mr. A.M. Laws for paying off the debt incurred by the purchase of 8 acres of land on O'Keefe Lane. Councilman Kubby asked the status of the dangerous path at La Cresta Drive and Arastradero. Speaking from the floor: Mr. Robert Stutz, Chairman, Pathway Committee, responded that the matter was not currently under review by the Committee. Councilman Miller suggested that an ad hoc committee be formed comprised of Townspeople who might study what the citizens would like to see done with their money, and look ahead to a five-year implementation plan. Speaking from the floor: Mr. Robert Stutz suggested spending funds on needed equipment for the Town Public Works crew. Mr. R.C. Cheney suggested utilizing the City Mana- ger's talents to utilize funds efficiently. Mr. Cal Strobele suggested spending funds on equip- ment for the work crews or on Town improvement projects. Mr. Donald Spencer Councilman Grabowski agreed to the formation of an ad hoc committee with a large membership to study all prospects for spending the funds with Councilman Kubby saying a committee was not necessary. Councilman Miller suggested that one or two special council meetings be held to discuss the possible expendi- ture of Revenue Sharing funds. Speaking from the floor: firs. Judy Carico suggested that a representative from each Town committee be on the membership of the ad hoc committee. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Miller moved, seconded by Councilman Davey and carried unanimously that one and, if necessary two, special City Council meetings be held to discuss Revenue Sharing, and that these be publi- cized to the Townspeople. 3. Discussion of "911" emergency telephone system. Mr. Don Halls of Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company explained the emer- gency system in which all jurisdictions in the county have been asked to participate. It was asked that the Town choose between a centralized county system and an in-house capability system. Speaking from the floor: Mr. Cal Strobele 44, Mrs. Lee Katz Mr. Laurence Dawson Mr. David Jarsson -4- Council concurred that Mayor Helgesson vote for a centralized county system at the next Santa Clara County Mayor's Committee meeting. %W G. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS: 1. Councilman Davey reported on the Planning Policy Committee meeting which she will attend on February 22, 1973. She is expected to vote for or against a resolution on production objectives, the publication of the "Directory of Federally Assisted Housing and Housing Sponsors", and the publication of "Fair Housing in Santa Clara County". Speaking from the floor: Mr. Donald Spencer Council concurred in instructing Councilman Davey to vote in support of these measures on behalf of the Town of Los Altos Hills. 2. Councilman Miller suggested, supported by Councilman Davey, that the Council consider forwarding an informative and factual mailer to the citizens regarding events of which they should be aware. Councilman Grabowski asked the City Manager to draft the brochure and to report to the Council on the cost of this undertaking. Council concurred that the City Manager should prepare the mailer for the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting of March 7, 1973. H. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR: 1. Mr. David Jansson reported the need for stringent regulations on covering of holes in the Town in order to protect the children and animals from possible accident. Councilman Grabowski asked with Council concurrence that the City Manager research the Municipal and Building Codes to see if an ordinance addres- sing itself to this subject is in existence. I. STAFF REPORTS 1. The City Manager requested instruction as to how to reply to the City of Palo Alto as to their offer for police services, as heretofore considered by the Public Protection Committee. The Committee recommended that the proposal be returned with thanks. Council concurred that the City Manager be instructed to reply to the City of Palo Alto expressing thanks and stating reasons. 2. The City Manager announced the appointment of Miss Karen Halvorsen to the position of Public Works Secretary, Mrs. Pearl Croy as Accounting Tech- nician, and Mrs. Arlene Perry, as Steno -Clerk at Town Halt. 3. The City Manager announced the resignation of Mrs. Lisa Merritt from the office staff for personal reasons, effective February 28, 1973. 4. The City Manager asked the City Attorney to expound on the recent award of `. the de Is Raza suit in favor of the Town. The City Attorney indicated that it will be difficult on the part of the Confederacion de Is Raza to sustain an appeal in light of the ali-encompassing decision of the court. -5- 5. The City Manager announced that during the past week, over 80 checks totalling $5,55.61 had been found in Town Hail that had not been re- ` ceipted or deposited. He made this announcement on the advice of the City Attorney and the auditing firm of C.G. Uhlenberg and Company. Councilman Miller asked if the checks were found in the desk of a former employee, to which the City Manager replied that he would rather discuss the matter in personnel session. Upon questioning, he replied that he was unaware if there existed more checks that had not yet been found. Those found were issued to the Town for building permits, business licenses and sewer payments, dating from February of 1972 to February of 1973. Councilman Davey pointed out that the Baxter -McDonald study reported a weakness in the financial organization at Town Hall and that this finding was now a reality and that the Council should be reminded of the fact. Councilman Grabowski stated that there seemed to be an attempt at gaining publicity here and the matter should be discussed in executive session. Councilman Miller retorted that the mismanagement of public funds is of concern to the Townspeople and cited the recall as partially emanating from accusations that three councilmen were in favor of a costly overhaul cf management in this Town. Councilman Kubby stated that this occurrence is a demonstration of irresponsible fiscal policy of the past administra- tion. for Speaking from the floor: Mrs. Lee Katz Mrs. Judy Carico Mr. Cal Strobele Mr. Herbert Hudson spoke in favor of the Baxter -McDonald report. Mr. A.M. Laws stated his concern that the res- ponsible party be prosecuted. Mr. David Jansson Dr. Ivan Grossman Councilman Kubby denounced Dr. Grossman's personal comments against the staff as inappropriate. Councilman Davey made it clear that the Council had not implied dishonesty on the part of the staff, but fiscal mismanage- ment in Town Hall. Councilman Grabowski stated that no accusations had been made by the staff or auditors directly or implied against anyone. Speaking from the floor: Mrs. Lee Katz Mr. Alan Helgesson Mr. David Jansson An executive session was requested by the City Manager. The Town Attorney stated that this session would relate to personnel matters. Councilman Kubby asked if it related to present personnel. City Attorney Faisant replied that it did not. Councilman Kubby then stated that it would be inappropriate to adjourn to executive session. `' J. ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION: 10:50 p.m. Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Councilman Miller and carried by a -6- 3 to 1 vote with Councilman Davey abstaining and Councilman Kubby opposed to adjourn to executive session. K. ADJOURNHEWT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION: 12:05 a.m. The City Manager reported that procedures have been initiated to the satis- faction of the Town's auditor to preclude the possibility of checks not being receipted or deposited in the future. L. ADJOURNXINT: 12:10 a.m. `r -7- Respectfully submitted. Michele Shaw Deputy City Clerk