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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/12/1973CITY COUNCIL k1/ TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MIiNUTES OF AN ADJOUR;JEU IIEETIAG Harch 12, 1973 4FS CC REEL 51 Side 2 Track 1 000 -9W Mayor Leslie Helgesson called the adjourned meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:55 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilman Davey, Kubby, Miller and Mayor Helgesson Absent: Councilman Grabowski Mayor Helgesson explained that this was an adjourned meeting of the City Council for the purpose of discussing the possible means of expending Revenue Sharing funds alloted to Los Altos Hills. The 1972 allotment was approximately $25,000. For calendar year 1973, Los Altos Hills' share of Revenue Sharing will approximate $26,000. Over a five-year term, the Town will receive a total of approximately 4 $130,000 in Revenue Sharing, according to the City Manager. The City Manager enumerated the ways in which the money can be spent. There are two basic areas; namely, Capital expenditures, and operation and maintenance. It is in- tended that the money be used to accomplish projects that otherwise might not be accomplished were the funds unavailable. Several letters were read from citizens and service groups interested in advancing a variety of causes such as aid for the elderly, improvement of drainage problems, reluction of property taxes and general improvement of road conditions. SPEAKING FROM THE FLOOR: Cir. A.M. Laws suggested that the money might be used in ways to allow property tax savings in the long run, such as the purchase of heavy equipment, the construction of garage facilities for this equipment, and the repair of paths in Town. Mr. Sylvan Reuben suggested the possible use of funds to construct bicycle paths along Town roads to keep bicycles off the roadway. Mr. Gardner Bullis, fearing the possibility of law suits against the Town, suggested the repair of roads, particularly Manuella Road. Mr. Donald Spencer felt the funds should be spent at a local level for property tax relief. This money should not be looked to as simply $25,000, but in terms of the total sum of what it can accomplish. Mr. Spencer suggested the possible use of these funds for a geological survey of the faults located in the vicinity. -I- Councilman Miller asked when the Town's seismic study was due to be submitted to the State, to which Mr. Spencer replied that several months were permitted in which to `. accomplish the task. Councilman Davey suggested that there was no actual due date and that the cost of this project might be included in the Planning Commission budget. Mr. Sylvan Reuben suggested that a consultant might be hired jointly by several cities in the area in order to cut the cost to any one town. 40, Councilman Davey stated that a mandate by the State will relieve the cities of some of the financial responsibilities in this area. City Manager Lawson, in response to the question if the funds might be utilized to pay off debts. repliedthat they could not be spent for this purpose if the debt '.!as in. :rr,' ,riot to � u::ri 1 1>7::. hi=:ncc; the J acts ^urcbe.s2; t:te Po�s� on L -,iia �.i ,oc De paid off with Revenue Sharing funds. Mayor Helgesson stated that the repair of roads will cost a great deal of money that will largely be realized from general taxes and improvements made by developers. Im- provements should be made as soon as possible as inflation will drive the cost of repairs upward. Councilman Kubby asked if the Town had a revenue source for drainage to which the City Manager replied that approximately $43,000 in drainage funds were currently available. Mr. Gardner Bullis asked if there existed a maintenance program at present at Town Hall to which the City Manager replied that there is, fully utilizing a two-man main- tenance crew to best advantage. This program does not include patching, however, which is a futile effort at the present time. He further indicated that there are over 50 miles of road in Town and that the gas tax allocation is less than $65,000. It would cost over $800,000 to properly repair the roads in Los Altos Hills. Councilman Kubby suggested that a citizens committee be formed to look into forming an assessment district to repair roadways in Town. Councilman Miller asked that the City Manager give a breakdown of costs of repairing these roads. City Manager Lawson delineated the costs of road repair by priority under the select system and storm drainage for a total of $1,200,000. Councilman Kubby asked if it were possible to handle the job ourselves, to which the City Manager replied this was impossible with a two-man crew. Mr. Sylvan Reuben mentioned that a heavy storm will destroy any amount or type of repairs. Hr. Donald Spencer suggested that repairs might be made to several roads where the damage is at itsworst, thereby cutting down cost of repairs. This idea was reaffirmed by Mr. Gardner Bullis. Mr. R.C. Cheney stated his contention that $1,000,000 worth of repairs constitute a frightening prospect when one considers the existence of a $300,000 budget. Reference was made to most of that budget going to salaries at Town Hall. -2- Councilman Miller asked the City Manager if indeed most of the $300,000 budget was consumed in the payment of salaries, to which the City Manager replied that only one- `, third of the money was used to this end. Councilman Kubby stated that people of the Town should apprise the Council of what they feel should be done with Revenue Sharing funds. The City Manager was asked to state the four areas in which he felt the money might best and most prudently be spent. These are as follows: 1. Improvement of Town Hall approx. $15,000 2. Payment of debt, 8 acres purchased on O'Keefe Lane 14,000 3. Purchase of heavy equipment 12,000 4. Improvement of pathways 9,000 " $50,000 Mr. A.M. Laws reiterated his contention that no equipment should be purchased until the Town has a place to store it. Councilman Davey asked if Town Hall improvements included garaging, to which the City Manager replied that cover for vehicles would be provided by a car port extension from the engineering building. Mr. R.C. Cheney endorsed the purchase of equipment in order to obviate the need for high rental figures the Town is now expending in order to accomplish maintenance work Lin Town. 'Ir. Gardner Bullis asked what improvements were foreseen for the expansion of Town Hall. The City Manager replied that, 1) the restroom would be moved to what is now the City Manager's office in order to provide restroom facilities adjacent to the Council Chambers; 2) the building would be extended 30' into the parking lot to provide needed working space for the staff; 3) a replaceinent office for the City Manager's office would be constructed, with adjacent meeting room; 4) the parking ioi might _ be extended to replace the area taken by the 30' extension; and 5) a covered parking and storage area would be constructed for Town equipment. Ilr. Oscar Suneman suggested the need for bicycle lanes which might be included in the improvement of pathways in Town. Councilman Davey reiterated the need to improve working conditions at Town Hall in order to better serve the Townspeople. It is a need which is in the realm of capa- bility at this time because of Revenue Sharing funds. $25,000 is"a drop in the bucket" where the repair of roads is concerned. Path. are also a necessary concern. The O'Keefe property purchase should be paid off at some time in the near future. Equip- ment may be necessary but might be financed out of incoming revenues. City Manager Lawson commented that the equipment needed at this time is quite expensive and that the monies resulting from revenues would best be utilized, to his mind, in the maintenance program which now exists. Councilman Miller asked as to how many paths were presently in need of maintenance, with the City Manager responding that it is not known where all the paths lie due to the weather. Councilman Miller asked if the college student maintenance program is -3- envisioned for the summer months, to which the City Manager replied that it is, and that the Pathway Committee might also participate in the search for paths destroyed by the weather. Councilman Miller also stated her interest in seeing better bicycle paths in Town. City Manager Lawson stated that three priorities exist in his mind for use of the funds. These are: 1) Renovation of Town Hall; 2) Purchase of heavy equipment; and 3) The path maintenance program. Mrs. Ruth Buneoan felt that the need for separate bicycle paths could be downplayed. With wider roads, dual needs of cyclists and motorists might be met. Implementation of the county leash law might also better conditions for cyclists in Town. Mr. Herbert Hudson stated that the shoulder on Town roads was a hazard to cyclists and might be improved. City Manager Lawson inquired as to the appropriateness of the staff preparing a resolution for approval at the next regularly scheduled council meeting of ;larch 21, 1973 incorporating the suggestions he delineated for use of the funds. Councilman Kubby stated that he would like to see the 1972-73 fiscal year budget report before earmarking any Revenue Sharing funds. Councilman Davey suggested that the proposed uses of the money as suggested by the City Manager might now be praliminarily agreed to by general concurrence of the Council with the final 6ecision to be made at the first council meeting in April. Councilman Kubby reiterated the legitimacy of the needs as put forth by the City Manager and that the decision would be made on how to spend the funds after budget figures were put before the Council. It was determined that the plans for expansion of Town Hall would be drawn up without cost by a Town resident. It was the consensus of the Council, with Councilman Grabowski absent, that the priorities as stated by the City Manager are generally acceptable, but that specific cost data is to be presented to the Council at their regularly scheduled meeting of April 4, 1973 at which time the matter will be considered further. ADdOURAIENT: 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michele R. Shaw Deputy City Clerk -4-