Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/07/1973%hr CITY COUNCIL TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING March 7, 1973 REEL 51 Side 1 Track 3 057-1038 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. Planning Commission Representative: Commissioner Spencer A. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmen Davey, Grabowski, Miller and Mayor Helgesson Absent: Councilman Kubby B. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 21, 1973 March 1, 1973 (Special Meeting) 2. MOTIONS FOR ADOPTION: a. Motion approving list dated March 7, 1973 of applications/permits as trivial in degree of environmental impact as submitted by the City Manager. b. Motion denying claim of Gerard Homes, Inc., 141 First Street, Los Altos, for refund of drainage fees in the amount of $2,572.32. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved. seconded by Councilman Miller and carried unanimously with Councilman Kubby absentlto adopt the CONSENT CALENDAR. C. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS: Councilman Grabowski questioned City Manager Lawson on various warrants. NOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Miller and carried unanimously with Councilman Kubby absent that the Warrant List of March 7, 1973 in the amount of $9,893.56 be approved. D. NOTIONS FOR ADOPTION: 1. Motion recommending approval of Urban Development Open Space Plan. NOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Mayor Helgesson and carried unanimously with Councilman Kubby absent that the City Council recommend adoption of the Urban Development Open Space Plan with the changes suggested by the Planning Commission. -1- 2. Motion approving tentative subdivision map of Edgerton Cooley (396-72) 10 lots, 20.54 gross acres located on Edgerton Road as recommended by the %W Planning Commission on February 28, 1973. Councilman Miller questioned the lack of provision for horse paths in the internal subdivision. Speaking from the floor: Mr. Robert Stutz, Chairman of the Pathway Committee, stated that the Pathway Committee's feeling on this matter is that paths should be open to all uses. Mr. James Muncie spoke in favor of making paths available to horsemen within the subdivision. Mr. John Riley, Engineer for the Edgerton Cooley subdivision, stated that the subdivision had 23s acres of horse paths and scenic easements which were thought to be sufficient. Commissioner Spencerspoke of the fault running through the subdivision and of the major improvements made in the subdivision as suggested by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission's feeling on the matter is that the horse trails running the perimeter of the subdivision are adequate. Discussion followed regarding the possible ramifications to potential buyers of property within the subdivision with reference to the fault. A study of the activity or inactivity of the fault would take a great deal of time and oar there is not much that can be done in the way of informing prospective buyers as to the existence of this fault. Speaking from the floor: Mr. David Jansson Mr. Robert Stutz stated the contention of the Path- way Committee that the paths in the subdivision were adequate. lkw Councilman Davey complimented Mr. Cooley and his Engineer on contributing 50' wide easements to the subdivision for horse paths and on their nearly perfect subdivision. She stated, however, that the check list should be amended to require multi-purpose use of internal routes so that cyclists, pedestrians, horses, etc. might avail themselves of the paths within the subdivision. She stated that the no horse domicile limitation was unfortunate and should be taken up in another arena. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Davey moved, seconded by Councilman Grabowski and carried unanimously with Councilman Kubby absent that the sub- division be approved with the inclusion of multi-purpose paths pursuant to the recommendation of the Pathway Committee. Speaking from the floor: Mrs. Diane Strobele spoke to the need for more ade- quate pathways in a "horse town". Mr. A.M. Laws -2- Mrs. Natalie Gleseler stated that the Town must decide as to whether or not it wants horses. Mr. H. Reiser stated that both ways of life, with and without horses, should be possible in Los Altos Hills. E. CURRENT BUSINESS: 1. Discussion of Resolution No. 696 relating to Town Standing Committees (con- tinued from meeting of 2/21/73). Councilman Grabowski stated he believed that members presently serving on the Traffic and Public Safety Committee had not yet completed a full four-year term and that they should be allowed to continue to serve until July, 1974. Mayor Helgesson stated that the Resolution itself was under discussion and that it should be discussed separately from the subject of current vacancies at this time. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Uavey moved, seconded by Councilman Miller and carried unanimously with Councilman Kubby absent that Resolution No. 696 relating to Town Standing Committees be approved as amended. Councilman Miller suggested that the matter of vacancies not be discussed at present, but later in the meeting. Councilman Grabowski suggested that ap- plications not be solicited at present for the Traffic and Public Safety `, Committee in order to allow present members to serve full terms. Council concurred that the matter should be deferred until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council, March 21, 1973. Speaking from the floor: Mrs. Theodora Schick expressed concern that experi- enced members of Committees would be excluded from participation in those Committees once their current terms were at an end. Councilman Grabowski responded that, although there was no firm policy on this matter at the moment, persons might seek reappointment and be chosen for committee service. 2. Request from Horsemen's Association for equestrian crossing signs costing $800. Councilman Grabowski stated that although this was a matter of immediate con- cern due to the safety element involved, the purchase of the signs should be deferred until after the new 1973-74 budget has been adopted. Councilman Miller inquired as to whether or not the money was available at present for this expenditure, to which the City Manager replied that funds were available. Councilman Hiller questioned the wisdom of placing an equestrian sign at Taaffe Road and Vista del Valle. Speaking from the floor: Mrs. Thomas Carsten explained the danger caused by the proliferation of pine branches blocking access to and vision on the path. -3- Councilman Miller stated that the owners of the trees were willing to prune `r back the branches of the pine trees to provide visibility and that the staff should look further into this matter before posting a sign. Speaking from the floor: Hr. James Patnore stated that placing a sign at Central Drive and Page Mill would only encourage traffic on Central Drive which is a private road. In his opinion, Page Mill is far too dangerous a street to be used by horsemen. Mrs. Saviano suggested the Pathway Committee should have been consulted on this project and that they should have made the recommendation rather than the Horsemen's Association. Mrs. Florence Fava objected to the inclusion of Moody Court at Moody Road as a possible site for a sign due to there not being an easement to accommodate horse traffic. Mr. David Jansson stated that all possible should be done for the horsemen from a safety standpoint. Councilman Miller asked if horses were permitted on private roadways. The City Attorney answered that this was a matter of private enforcement. Speaking from the floor: Mrs. Diane Strobele felt that authorization should be given to spend the $800 for signs with the Pathway Committee researching and recommending the placement of signs. Mr. H. Reiser stated that private roads should not be advertised as throughways. Mr. George Pfeiffer stated that $800 worth of signs put in by amateurs would soon disappear. Mr. R.C. Cheney, Chairman of the Public Protection Committee, stated that signing of horsepaths was viewed purely from a technical standpoint without regard to cost by this Conmittee. Mayor Helgesson stated his agreement with Councilman Grabowski that the matter should be taken up under the new budget with the Pathway Committee recommending placement of the signs. MOTION AND SECOND: Councilman Davey moved, seconded by Councilman Miller and opposed by Mayor Helgesson and Councilman Grabowski that approval be given new for the expenditure of $800 for equestrian signs as requested by the Horsemen's Association with placement of the signs to be reviewed by the Pathway Committee Because of the tie vote, the motion failed. 4W Council concurred that the matter be deferred until the regularly scheduled council meeting of April 4, 1973 to consider further input from the Pathway Committee. -4- 3. Review of draft of Town Newsletter. �r The costs of publishing and distributing the newsletter were discussed with Council concurrence that the matter be further pursued under Staff Reports, at which time the City Manager might better inform Council as to probable costs of the publication. 4. Emergency Repairs on Page Hill Road. The City Engineer reported to Council on the drainage damages on Page Mill Road between Altamont Road and Via Ventana. Total cost for permanent repair would range between $11,000 and $15,000. The City Manager reported that he had received two letters from the Palo Alto School District requesting that the roadway be repaired so as to allow the safe bussing of children. Mayor Helgesson affirmed the need for the roadway to be kept open. Discussion ensued as to the best way in which to accomplish the work on Page Mill. Per- manent repair of the road could be effected in 6 to 8 weeks, according to Mr. Crabtree, City Engineer. Emergency repairs might be effected in 1 or 2 weeks, with provision to repair the damage permanently after the rains with a retaining wall. Councilman Grabowski inquired as to which town fund would supply the needed monies for the repairs. The City Manager suggested the gas tax fund as a possible source. Councilman Davey suggested the drainage fund as another possible source. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Davey moved, seconded by Councilman Grabowski and carried unanimously with Councilman Kubby absent that the Town embark upon a temporary solution of the drainage problem on Page Mill Road, on the advice of the Town Engineer, with the idea that this is an emergency mea- sure and that final repairs will be made to the road after the rains. Councilman Grabowski suggested, with Council concurrence, that monies be used from the gas tax fund for this purpose, utilizing drainage funds only if nec- essary. F. PUBLIC HEARING: It was announced that the Public Hearing to be held per request of Mrs. Lisa Merrir regarding her resignation from employment with the Town was removed from the agenda. and would be held at a later date due to Mrs. Merritt's illness. G. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR: 1. Mrs. Theodora Schick questioned expenditures on the current Warrant List in the amount of $1960 for bookkeeping services and in the amount of $595 for a type- writer. She also requested the amount of the cost of publishing and mailing of the Council Newsletter, and the subjects to be included therein. She asked if there were in fact monies to be spent where no formal budget existed. Councilman Davey asked the City Manager to reply by explaining the need for the -5- auditing firm of C.G. Uhlenberg and Co. to provide services to the Town, there- by creating the expense of $1960. The City Manager explained the need was caused by the discovery of checks during the past month that had neither been receipted nor deposited. A.M. Laws suggested that the Council employ another accounting firm to review the status of Town funds. Councilman Davey asked the City Manager to explain why the auditor did not find the checks. Mayor Helgesson and Councilman Grabowski took exception to her comment as improper. Councilman Davey stated that the competence of the auditor had been challenged. The City Attorney informed the public that the competence of the auditors had been found by the City Council and the City Attorney to be competent. Councilman Grabowski expressed his concern that there did not exist an adequate budget and requested that the City Manager come to Council for approval of unusual expenses. The City Manager stated that this was his practice where major capital outlays were concerned and that expenditures are being kept to an absolute minimum. Councilman Grabowski affirmed the need for a program of expenditures to keep everyone in Town apprised o7 the Town's financial status. Mrs. Mildred Gallo questioned the amount of the telephone bill on the Warrant List and the cost of bookkeeping services performed by the auditors. 2. Mr. Thomas Stern expressed his concern that the Town repair all roads damaged' by rain. The City Manager replied that all that could be done was now being done with a two-man Public Works crew to do the work and the present weather conditions. Mrs. Millie Saviano suggested that other ways might be found to repair the streets other than patching. 3. Mrs. Alma Wood questioned the existence of a 1972-73 budget, suggesting the need for a record to be made available to the Townspeople. Mayor Helgesson stated that the Town is operating presently under an unapproved budget. The City (Manager stated that plans were underway for a monthly budget report to be made available to the public. Mr. Herbert Hudson spoke in favor of a monthly financial statement. Mr. David Jansson mentioned that the City Iianager has taken over many problems since coming to Los Altos Hills and that he be given the opportunity to rectify them. H. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS BY COUNCILMEN: 1. Councilman Grabowski asked if any of the damaged roads might qualify for emer- gency repair. He suggested that Miranda Road be looked at by staff for possib, repair. 2. Councilman Davey complimented the staff on the compilation of the position classification document. 3. (Mayor Helgesson requested that the dead eucalyptus trees in the area be looked 'S.'D at by the Fire Department for possible removal. `► I. STAFF REPORTS: 1%w 1. City Manager Lawson asked that there be a motion to deny a claim from Norman Petersen in the amount of $121.60 for damages sustained to his car while traveling on damaged roadway in Los Altos Hills. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Mayor Helgesson and carried unanimously with Councilman Kubby absent that the claim be denied. 2. City Manager Lawson announced the selection of Mr. Alexander Russell, a Town resident, as the new Public 'Works Director/City Engineer. Mr. Russell held similar positions in Santa Cruz and Monterey and was most recently in private consulting. He will assume duties of his new position on March 19, 1973. 3. The City Manager further delineated the costs for the publication and mailing of the Council Newsletter. Approximate figures were stated to be $250 for the first mailing, with $210 for subsequent publications. Speaking from the floor: firs. Hildred Gallo inquired if the cost stated by thr City manager included the cost of staff participation in the production of the mailer. The City Manager informed the public that the staff would prepare the brochure as a matter of daily work. J. AUUITIONAL BUSINESS BY COUNCILMEN: Councilman Grabowski broke down the costs of coffee service at Town Hall with the request that persons availing themselves of the service might contribute 5Q for a cup of coffee to the Town. K. ADJOURNMENT: 10:30 p.m. Mayor Helgesson with Council concurrence, adjourned the meeting to Monday, March 12, 1973, at which time the matter of Revenue Sharing will be the topic of discussion. -7- Respectfully submitted, Michele R. Shaw Deputy City Clerk