HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/15/1973�A.
CITY COUNCIL
TWA OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR HEETING
August 15, 1973
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Mayor Leslie Helgesson called the regular meeting of the City Council of
the Town of Los Antos Hills to order at 7:45 P.M. in the Council Chambers
of Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California.
A. ROLL CALL:
h4sent: Councilman Grabowski, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Helgesson,
and Commissioner Mueller for the Environmental Planning
Commission.
B. COMSENT CALENDAR:
At the request of Councilman Grabowski, Items 1 and 2 were removed
from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
4r MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: flayor Helgesson moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Miller, and carried unanimously to adopt the remaining
items on the Consent Calendar, namely:
3. Motion approving Election Officers and polling places for special
Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, September 13, 1973.
4. Resolution No. 715 authorizing the Dept. of General Services of the
State of California to purchase certain items.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION:
1. Approval of Minutes of Regular fleeting, August 1st, and Adjourned
Meeting of August 6, 1973:
Councilman Grabowski asked status report of his motion of August 1,
1973, pertaining to the regulation of campaign spending, and why
the item had not been placed on this evening's Agenda for further
discussion as Staff had been directed.
Mr. Lawson, City Manager, explained that this was simply an over-
sight on the part of Staff.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: There being no question regardinq the
Minutes of the last meeting of the Council, but a question of placing
an item on the Agenda, Mayor Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilwoman
Miller, and carried unanimously, that the Minutes of August 1st and
the Adjourned fleeting of August 6th be approved.
2. Approval of Harrants: $10,441.20.
Councilman Grabowski questioned Warrant No. 3974 in the amount
of $1050.00 for auditing services of C. G. Uhlenberg.
Mr. Lawson explained that this warrant was for the annual Audit
of the City's books.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Congressman Grabowski moved, seconded
by Councilwoman Miller, and unanimously carried to approve the
Narrants. "
Mayor Helgesson announced decision of Council made in Executive Session
pertaining to appointments to Town Committees:
EIVIROXZITAL PLANNING COKIISSION: Mr. Lachenbruch, Nr. Mueller,
11r. Perkins were all reappointed for another term on the Commission
to expire June 30, 1977. Mrs. Judith Carico was appointed to the
Commission for a term to expire June 30, 1977, replacing Mrs. Priscilla
Veisbart.
PATHklAY CONMITTEE: Cdr. Dochnahl and Mrs. Saviano were both reappointed
to the Committee; Mr. 11hitiey and Mrs. Ginzton, although terms have
ended, will remain as Advisory members; Mrs. Harold Schick was appointed
to the Committee, replacing Mrs. J. Carico. New terms will expire
`' June 30, 1975.
NOISE ABATEMENT COMMITTEE: tlrs. Carroll Bradberry was appointed to the
Noise Abatement Committee for a tern expiring on June 30, 1975.
TRAFFIC AND PUBLIC SAFETY COWITTEE: Mrs. Goldbeck has resigned as
Secretary of the Committee, and Mr. Frank Wheeler's term has expired.
Mr. Frank Gorman has been appointed, with his term expiring June 30, 1975.
Mayor Helgesson said that it was seldom recognized what efforts and sacri-
fices had to be made on the part of those who volunteer to serve on
Committees, and the Town should be aware of this. He stated that the Town
was grateful and wished to thank those who have served, and who continue
to serve on the various Committees in an effort to better the Community.
C. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR:
Mayor. Helgesson asked that presentations from the floor be limited to
five minutes because of the length of time it was taking lately to
complete Council meetings.
Mrs. Florence Fav,, Hood Road, reported to the Council that she had
atten e a meet n9 ot oca cities in her capacity as Torm Historian
on August 14tH in San dese. The meeting was held in an effort to
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unify California's attempt to inventory local historical sites and
determine an order of priorities to qualify for State and Federal
funds available for historical site preservation. Mrs. Fava said that
she had invited Mrs. Dorothy Gray of the Santa Clara County Historical
Commission to attend the Council meeting to further detail the efforts
of the County and State in this regard. Mrs. Fava indicated that she
thought that the preservation of Historical Sites should perhaps be a
part of the Environmental Planning Commission, or perhaps a new
Committee should be appointed, since one person could hardly do the
job required.
Mayor Helgesson suggested that the matter should be agended for further
discussion at the next Council meeting, and requested that Mrs. Fava
introduce Mrs. Gray.
Mrs. Dorothy Gray was introduced and told Council about the sites
already listed by the State in their inventory of historical sites, and
the funds that would be made available by the State and possibly the
Federal government for preservation of the most significant. Mrs. Gray
suggested that an Environmental Impact Report be submitted on the Juan
Pr*W Mes�and asked if this had already been done.
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Mr. Lawson commented that he had con ted the developer of the lands
at the site of the Juan PrAde MesaAd`�t�d felt confident that a Historical
Site Marker would be erected with the full cooperation of the developer.
2. Mrs. Saviano, Corte Madera Lane: Mrs. Saviano noted the date of the
meet ng o t e at way Conn ttee on the Calendar of Meetings Scheduled
and said the date was wrong. She wanted to know why she had not
received notification of a change in meeting dates of the Committee.
Mr. Lawson explained that the AGENDA for the forthcoming Pathway
Committee had been mailed from Town Halt on Tuesday morning, August 14th,
and that she should have received this notice. Further, the secretary
had attempted to call all members of the Committee to notify them of
the meeting, but the only people contacted were Mr. Stutz and Mrs.
Schick.
Councilman Grabowski questioned the City Attorney as to the legal time
of notification and whether 24 -hours was enough of a notice.
Mr. Faisant said that Committee members could be contacted up to the
time of meeting, but that a 24-hour notice to the press was necessary.
3. Mrs. Alma Bond Stonebrook Ave: Mrs. Flood wanted to thank Council and
Sta or t Ig
prompt sur ac nq of Stonebrook Avenue. Mrs. Hood
also asked whether figures were available at Town Hall regarding the
Annual Budget versus actual expenditures.
Mr. Lawson said that although the final figures had not been completely
04W audited to date, they were available for examination at Town Hall.
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D. CONTINUING BUSINESS:
1. Discussion of Final Plans for Town Hall Expansion:
Mr. Hinckley, Architect, presented final plans to Council and
Public, stating that he thought all the major questions and
problems discussed at the Council meeting of August Ist had been
solved. The re -arrangement of the Council seats and repair of
the rotted beam on the existing building were to be deferred and
handled by the Town's Maintenance Department in order to keep
costs at a minimum.
After reviewing his plans and explaining to Council and citizens
exactly how the plans were revised, Mr. Hinckley proposed that
the Town request bids for the exterior walls first,w ith the
inside walls being bid as an alternate. Several suggestions were
made by Mr. Hinckley to cut costs to a minimum, such as using
existing redwood boards where needed, and replacing the redwood
behind the podium with tackboard, or plasterboard that would not
detract from the present building. Mr. Hinckley recommended that
bids be accepted and in to the Town Hall no later than Sept. 5th.
Councilwoman Puller asked several questions pertaining to a breeze-
way between the Public Works Building and Town Hall. Hr. Hinckley
responded that a breezeway might be installed which could be done
OW after the exterior walls had been completed and it was determined
whether an enclosed breezeway was desirable at that time.
Councilman Grabowski inquired as to whether Mr. Hinckley intended
to see the project through to the supervision of the building
without monetary recompense. Mr. Hinckley responded affirmatively.
Mayjr Helgesson and Council concurred that Mr. Minckley should go
ahead with a request for bids per Mr. Minckley's suggestion, and
present them at the September 5th meeting, to which all members of
the City Council unanimously agreed.
2. Discussion of the Status of Summitwood Road:
The City Attorney reported his findings in the matter of
Summitwood Road. Briefly, the alternativies before the Council
were to abandon the road, thereby allowing it to revert to a
private road, or to bring the road up to Town standards. Methods
by which the road could be brought up to standards were also
discussed.
Many of the residents in the area of Summitwood expressed concern
that the Town would even consider abandoning the road. They felt
that the road was the Town's responsibility, and that the avenues
of legal recourse would be sought should such a course be under-
taken by the Town.
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06 Other residents of the Town, including 'Ir. Laws, Hooper Lane,
and Mr. Cheney, Magdalena, felt that the problem was one that
should be solved by the Town, even if bringing the road up to
standards meant spending money.
Mayor Helgesson felt that the Public Uorks Director should prepare
an in-depth study and present it to the Council with a cost
estimate involved in widening Surmitwood and bringing the road
up to Town standards.
Mr. Lawson, City Manager, and Mr. Russell, City Engineer, agreed
to meet with residents of Surnitwood road to review the problems
at the actual site. Mr. Russell agreed to present Council with
his findings at the earliest possible date.
3. Discussion of Drainage Requirements on Olive Tree Lane:
(Valenti property):
This item was agended from last meeting to allow Council to make
a Field Trip to the site and see what the Town required regarding
catch basins. After discussions between Mrs. Valenti, the City
Council, City Manager and City Engineer with the City Attorney,
Councilman Grabowski asked about the feasibility of deferrina the
decision on the catch basins until winter when the elements could
determine whether, in fact, the catch basins were actually needed,
f, and in the meantime allowing the Valentis' to go ahead with their
4ar building plans.
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Mr. Lawson stated that if this were to be the case, the Valentis'
would be required to post a bond guaranteeing the improvements,
should they be required.
Councilwoman Miller objected to this deferred decision, saying
that she did not see how the Council could ask the Valentis' to
pay for flooding that was not caused by them.
Mayor Helgesson told Mrs. Valenti that she should be prepared to
take care of any erosion on her property as a result of flooding,
should it occur this winter.
Councilman Grabowski moved that the decision regarding the catch
basins be postponed until this winter, and a bond be posted with
Town Hall by the Valentis' to that effect. The motion was seconded
by ilayor Hel;esson and put to Council vote.
Ayes: Councilman Grabowski, Mayor Helgesson.
No: Councilwoman Miller, stating that the other alternatives
of releasing Mr. and Mrs. Valenti weren't discussed and she wanted
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the record to read that she felt that at this point, the judgement
ar;ainst them was punitive.
4. Discussion of alternatives to Supplemental Day Patrol Service
provided by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office:
Mrs. Goldsmith, Chairman of the Traffic and Public Safety Committee
read the minutes of the meeting held on August 14th to discuss the
alternatives to the supplemental Day Patrol Service. Because there
was not a quorum of members present at this meeting, and due to
the fact that the Committee had been presented with many proposals
from private patrol services, a valid and rational recommendation
could not be made at this time. Mrs. Goldsmith requested an
extension of time so the proposals could be studied by the
Committee , and other alternatives researched in the same manner
so the study would be thorough.
Councilman Grabowski asked if the idea of a Staff Officer had been
discounted at this point in time.
Mrs. Goldsmith said that Mr. Lawson was assisting with the study,
and he was pursuing this angle. They would be working tonether
with the Committee and a detailed analysis of all alternatives,
along with figures and charts, would be available for the second
meeting of the Council in September. In the meantime, the
Sheriff's Department would continue with the supplemental day
patrol service as before.
All members of the Council aareed to defer this item until the
Council meeting of Spetember 19th, 1973.
5. Review and Establish Priorities for Capital Improvements Proqram
for the 1973-74 Fiscal Year.
Mayor Helgesson gave background of recent discussions and itemized
by priority those improvements he felt should be given first
consideration:
a. Reconstruct Elena from Matoma to Purissima (2800 ft.).
b. Reconstruct Elena from Robleda to Deer Gulch (3000 ft.).
c. Contract design of Page Mill from Arastradero (east) to
Alexis Drive.
1. Concentrate on widening or replacing the three bridges
(culverts) at lower end of Page Mill Road.
d. Overlay E1 Monte from O'Keefe to IS 280.
Drainage - Projects 1-8.
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Those items involving Maintenance that were considered too priority
by the Mayor were:
1. To clean all channels from new construction on Page !1ill to
Arastradero (east), including asphalt lining of ditches where
necessary, uncovering culverts, improving inlets to culverts,
and cleaning out all culverts.
2. Repair Altanont near Eschner property.
Councilman Grabowski concurred with all the items and their order of
priority with the exception of Item No. 4, the overlay of El Monte,
which he felt could wait until a later date.
Councilwoman Miller concurred with the Mayor on all items, including
Item. No. 4.
Speaking from the floor, Mrs. Saviano asked if any consideration had
been riven to Fremont Road because of the dangerous conditions that
existed for bicyclists. She felt Fremont should be given priority
over the E1 Monte project.
Councilman Grabowski stated that Fremont Road was scheduled for
improvement during Fiscal Year 1976-77.
Mayor Helgesson requested Staff to determine exactly what was included
in the overlay of E1 Monte from the City of Los Altos, and stated
that Council did not want to spend more than $5,000, give or take 25%,
for this project. f1r. Russell agreed to get exact details from the
City of Los Altos.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Mayor Helgesson moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Miller, that the priorities be accepted as itemized.
The Council voted unanimously, with Councilman Grabowski wishing the
record to indicate that he took exception to Item 4, which he did not
feel was necessary at this time.
E. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS:
1. Councilman Grabowski asked Mr. Lawson if he had received additional
information regarding legislation now pending in Sacramento
pertaining to the amount of money a candidate could spend in order
to be elected to public office.
Mr. Lawson responded that he had received numerous pieces of
pending legislation but had not studied them all to see if such
legislation had been included.
A discussion ensued between Staff and Council regarding legality
of such legislation, and Councilman Grabowski' requested that
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Mr. Lawson allow him to examine any bills pertaining to the matter
which had been received from Sacramento.
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Mr. Faisant stated that it looked like the State would preempt
local government in establishing any legislation involving campaign
spending.
2. Councilwoman Miller said that she would like to report on her
trip to Sacramento, but because of the lateness of the hour,
requested that this item be postponed until the next meeting.
3. Councilwoman Miller also requested that the Council consider the
subject of the Town Newsletter for the next meeting because of the
need to communicate with the Townspeople, and she felt a Newsletter
would be an excellent vehicle for relaying information to the
public.
F. ORDINANCES FOR ADOPTION:
1. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: After waiving additional reading,
Mayor Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilwoman Miller, the Council
unanimously approved Ordinance No. 212 fixing the tax rate for
the 1973-74 Fiscal Year at $.40 per $100 assessed valuation.
G. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
1. First reading of Ordinance No. 213 amending the Los Altos Hills
Municipal Code by adding thereto provisions relating to the
4 preservation of Historical Sites.
Mayor Helgesson asked Mrs. Fava if she had any comments regarding
the proposed Ordinance.
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Mrs. Fava commented that she was grateful to the Staff and the
Council for their effort in this regard.
H. STAFF REPORTS:
1. Mr. Lawson brought up the subject of a Brush -Chipper service and
summarized his Memo to the Council. After a brief discussion
regarding legal aspects and costs, the Mayor suggested that the
matter be continued to the next meeting when this proposal could
be discussed in more detail.
2. Because of the lateness of the hour, the two reports by Mr. Russell
regarding the Kinkead and Broekoff properties will be discussed
at the meeting of Council on September 5th.
3. Mr. Lawson suggested that prior to the next Council meeting a Work -
Study meeting be held between Staff, Council, and the Environmental
Planning Commission to discuss the General Plan, Personnel matters,
etc.
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Councilwoman !tiller asked that a decision in this regard be
postponed until the Council re -convened after Executive Session.
I. ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE (PERSONNEL) SESSION:
J. ADJOURWIENT: 12:20 A.M.
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Respectfully submitted,
Norma Hislop
Deputy City Clerk
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