HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/1973`r TO1,JN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETI'IG
October 17, 1973
CC: Reel 58, Side 1, Tr. 1, 000-1995
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 Cheney, Grabowski, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Helgesson.
Absent: Councilman McReynolds, Commissioner Lachenbruch for the Env.
Planning Commission.
B. CONSENT CALENDAR:
At the request of Councilman Grabowski, Item #2, Warrants, was removed from
the CONSENT CALENDAR for separate consideration. City Manager, Mr. Bruce
Lawson, stated that Item #3, a Resolution calling for bids for improvement
kw of Elena Road from IS230 to Natoma, is removed from the CALENDAR.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilwoman Miller moved, seconded by
Councilman Grabowski, and unanimously carried to adopt the remaining item
on the CONSENT CALENDAR, namely:
1. Approval of Minutes: October 8, 1973 Regular Meeting
October 12, 1973 Adjourned Meeting
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION:
2. Warrants:
MOTION, SECONDED AMD CARRIED: Following questions pertaining to specific
warrants, Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Councilwoman Miller, and
unanimously carried to approve the Warrant List in the amount of $21,012.17.
C. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR:
Mone.
D. CONTINUING BUSIMESS:
1. Discussion of Specifications for Security Patrol:
`• City Manager, Bruce Lawson, summarized his report to the Council regar0ina
crime statistics that had been compiled for the past two years, area and
county -wide and noted the comparisons. It was noted that the crime rate
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - October 17, 1973
was ing
down in Los
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time.
PatrolwGuardaand lasked aCouncil uifethey hadsted canything nfurther toiadd etoeSecurity
what
had already been drawn up.
Councilman Grabowski felt that Item A. the 40 -hour week, should not be
inflexible, but that the daily hours of a Security Patrol should be flexible
enough to cope with various problems that may arise in the Town. He also
felt that certain of the specifications contained in the city Manager's
report should be amplified.
Councilwoman Miller commented that there was nothing in the specifications
that mentioned anything about physical ability, and that this should be
included. She requested that since the Report had just been given to the
Council prior to the beginning of the meeting, that the discussion be
agendad until next meeting so that the Council could thoroughly study the
Report and Specifications.
With the unanimous consent of the Council, Mayor Helgesson agendad this
item until next Council meeting, asking that individual Council members
contact Staff with any suggestions or questions they might have regarding
Security Gard 4W definitiveJguidelines it tbendiscussed ats which dthe next be meeting.
porated into more
meeting,
E. CURRENT BUSINESS:
2. Discussion of possible County -wide ban on sale of fireworks (per
reccmanlation of the Santa Clara County Fire Chiefs).
Mayor Helgesson explained that at the Inter -City Council Mayor's Committee
meeting on October 4th, the Fire Chiefs had requested that individual cities
from the Councilmenhe pdasato whether on othey rks cwere yinifavornofasuch aoban.
nts
Councilman Grabowski stated that he had indicated many times his concern
about fire oftsuchse of a county -wide snd felt
the bar
too,Councilwoman would
Miller
also
commented
re ordthat
favoringbecause
the bane a fire hazard, she,
Councilman Cheney commented that he felt it would be an exercise in
futility, but he would go on record in favor of a ban for the same reasons.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Miller and carried unanimously that the City Council of the
Town of Los Altos Hiils go on record in favor of a county -wide ban on
*r fireworks per the recommendation of the Santa Clara Ccunty Fire Chiefs.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - October 17, 1973
UNSCHEDULED ITEM:
Mayor Helgesson informed Council, Staff and citizens of the death on
October 16th of Mr. C. 0. Dawson, a resident of the Town. The Mayor stated
that Mr. Dawson had been one of the donors of the land and Town Hall when
the Town was incorporated. In deference to his memory, the Mayor asked
that all present bow their heads in a moment of silence in respect for this
outstanding citizen.
1. Discussion of Pro osition No. 1 - Tax and Expenditure Limitations
Fteat ve:
Mayor Helgesson introduced Councilman Tim Montgomery of the City of
Milpitas and Chairman of the "Scrap Scrap 1" Committee, who would speak
in favor of Proposition 1 on the L'illcr of _'ovmber, 1973.
The Mayor also introduced Mrs. G. Iglis of the League of Women Voters
who would speak Against Proposition 1.
Mrs. Iglis, with the consent of Mr. Montgomery, took the floor as first
speaker and noted that the League of Women Voters, although in favor of
tax reform, was against Proposition 1 because of several inconsistencies
existing in the Proposition given in full in the sample ballot mailed
to all registered voters.
Mr. Montgomery then took the floor and spoke in favor of the Governor's
tax initiative. He then addressed himself to several specific items
criticized by Mrs. Iglis.
After a brief debate the Mayor asked for questions from Council and the
Floor to be directed to the individual speakers. Following this question
and answer period, the Mayor asked for comments from members of the
Council as to whether they felt they would like to take a stand for or
against Proposition 1.
The consensus of the Council was that each member knew how he, himself,
would vote; however, Council did not feel they wanted to go on record
for or against, since this was a matter for the voter to decide himself.
Councilman Grabowski made a motion that Council table the Item, but
after further discussion and comments he withdrew this motion and the
following was made:
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by
Councilman Cheney and unanimously carried, to abstain from publicly
endorsing or opposing Proposition 1 on the November ballot.
The Mayor thanked Mr. Montgomery and Mrs. Iglis for speaking this evening
and further informing both Council and the public of the pros and cons of
`. this measure.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - October 17, 1973
F. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS:
1. Mayor Helqesson:
Mayor Helgesson cemented that the next meeting of the State Historical
Heritage Commission would be held on November S, 1973 in Pasadena, Calf.
Since Mrs. Florence Fava, Town Historian, had been unable to attend the
last meeting in San Rafael, a discussion on making the Juan Prado Mesa
Adobe a State Historical Site had been tabled. The Mayor inquired as to
whether the Council had any objection to paying Mrs. Fava's expenses to
Pasadena to speak on behalf of the Town in favor of this item.
Council unanimously agreed to assume the expense of sending Mrs. Fava to
Pasadena, and Staff was instructed to handle transportation matters.
�.,=.t t:,.r-':o:a' `e a - ;c� 1 fry^tii.•j-uf,t+.e Santa Clara
County Historical Heritage Commission on November 9th, and asked if any
member of the Council could attend the meeting to represent the Town.
Councilman Grabowski indicated that he would attend.
2. Councilman Grabowski:
Councilman Grabowski questioned Staff regarding the subject of franchising
L a Septic Tank Pumping firm, and whether the study he had requested regarding
the feasibility of such a move had been undertaken.
City Manager, Bruce Lawson responded that to date, no study had been under-
taken regarding this matter, but, if Council desired, he would try to have
a report back to them by the end of November. Staff was so directed.
Councilman Grabowski also commented on the stop sign that had been installed
at Fremont Road and Miranda, stating that he thought the installation had
done a great deal to improve the hazardous conditions existing at that
Intersection. He also commented on the Field Trip on October 12th by the
City Council, stating he felt similar stop signs should be installed on the
northwest corner of Fremont at Conception, and also at the southeast corner
of Natoma and Elena.
A short discussion ensued and Staffwas directed to look into improving
sight distance at Conception and Fremont by the removal of four dead
Apricot trees. Staff is to contact the owner of the property in question
for permission for this removal.
Councilman Cheney suggested a stop sign at both corners of Matoma and
Elena, but after further discussion, he commented that if one stop sign
did not sufficiently help at this intersection, another could be installed
at a later date.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by
Councilman Grabowski and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution #725
amending Resolution #233 by establishing stop signs at the northwest corner
of Fremont at Conception, and on the southeast corner of Natoma at Elena.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - October 17, 1973
G. HEARINGS:
Request for approval of Tentative Map on lands of Pappas, J. N.,
Frazier, D. - (J. N. Pappas, Developer).
After reviewing this request, and having visited the lands in question
during their recent field trip, Council expressed a reluctance to grant
approval unless they could be assured that no other building would be
placed on Lot 3 until the existing non -conforming building was removed.
Mr. J. N. Pappas, 644 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, owner of the property in
question, came forward and assured Council that he would be willing to
stipulate in an agreement that such would be the case.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Council-
man Grabowski and unanimously carried that the Tentative Map on lands of
Pappas be approved under conditions stipulated by the Environmental Planning
Commission, with an additional condition stipulated in a signed agreement
that Lot 3 could not be developed until the existing building was removed.
H. STAFF REPORTS:
L 1. City Manager:
(r a. City Manager, Bruce G. Lawson, said that Staff had received an
application from Mr. and Mrs. Jack Elmberg, 26731 Taaffe Road, for
a land conservation contract for inclusion of land into the Town of
Los Altos Hills Agricultural Preserve (Williamson Act). Total acreage
involved was 7.61 acres.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Miller and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution #724 approving
Williamson Act Contracts.
b. Mr. Lawson commented that he had received a letter from Mr. Morgan
:hnson, the Engineer for S.A.D.#10, regarding the final plans for this
District, and had distributed copies of this letter to Council.
Councilwoman Miller said that she had received numerous calls from
residents involved in this Sewer Assessment District, and thought it
would be a good idea for a copy of Dr. Johnson's letter to be sent to
all parties concerned so the people would understand that Town Hall was
not holding up the plans. Staff was so instructed.
c. Mr. Lawson summarized his Memo to City Council in which he stated
that since there was not a great demand for listening to tapes, the
Staff was making available more hours when tapes would be available to
the Public.
Lr Councilman Cheney suggested that since this was the case, could it be
possible that the tapes be made available at any time during regular
office hours as long as Staff had 24 -hours advance notice. Mr. Lawson
concurred with this suggestion.
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l CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - October 17, 1973
i
Mr. Lawson also brought up the subject of Town Hall hours, stating
that the extra hours given to Staff during the day for filing, research,
and uninterrupted work time was felt to be necessary, but suggested
several alternatives which might give Staff the needed work time while
keeping the doors of Town Hall open to the public from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00
P.M.
After reviewing the alternatives, it was the consensus of the Council
that the hours should remain as they now stand: Regular working hours
for the Staff from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., but public hours of Town
Hall would be 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. to allow staff an hour per day of
uninterrupted work time.
d. Mr. Lawson stated that a letter had been received from Mr. and Mrs.
Hahn, whose home was behind Town Hall. Mr. Lawson asked that a
discussion of the letter be deferred until after Executive Session.
3. Councilwoman Miller:
Councilwoman Miller noted that the City Council meeting scheduled for
November 21st, was the evening before Thanksgiving and suggested that
the meeting date be moved to a more convenient time. It was suggested
tt the matter be taken up in Executive Session.
4. Councilman Grabowski:
Councilman Grabowski noted that in the Budget Report for the month
there was a marked decrease in business license revenues. Mr. Lawson
stated several reasons which he thought might be responsible for this
decrease.
I. EXECUTIVE (PERSONNEL & LITIGATION) SESSION:
There being no further business at hand, Council adjourned to Executive
Session at 10:25 P.M.
STAFF REPORTS (continued after Executive Session):
a. Mr. Lawson said he had talked with the Town Planner, William Spangle
and Associates regarding completion of the General Plan and asked
Council's consent to enter into a contract for the Plan's completion
at a price not to exceed $8500.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by
Councilman Cheney and unanimously approved to negotiate a contract with
1•1m. Spangle & Assoc. for completion of the General Plan at a cost not to
exceed $8500.
b. City Manager informed Council that the Town had been named in a lawsuit
%W by a Mrs. Betty Rollins and her children over an accident occurring at
Foothill and E1 Monte in which her husband was killed.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - October 17, 1973
MOTION, 'ZZC0LJCD An-' 1;.4.^.RI-9: ;,ouncirman Srmfjows%i moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Piii;er and unanimously Carrie( to reject claim filed on
behalf of Mrs. F2tty Rollins and ch';aren.
c. Mr. Lawson said the Town had received a letter from Mr. Lawrence
Dawson, Page Mill Road, requesting exclusion from Sewer Assessment
Oistrict f9. Since this District is now in litigation, Mr. Lawson requested
Council's approval to refer Mr. Dawson's 'ietter to the lawyer h.,ndlirn
S.A.D. 89 for response.
MOTION, SECQtlDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Miller and unanimously carried to refer fir. Dawson's request
to S.A.D. #9's lawyer for response.
ANNOUY^EMENTS:
a. Mayor Heiles—n announced that Councilman Cheney was the new City
Council representative to the Planning Pelicy Committee.
b. Councilwoman Hillis:• was the Council's r?presentati<a to the Community
Health abuse Council,
C. Counci wan McReynolds is Council's rauresentative to the Nor ,h4s;c
Zone Flood Control A.avisory Committee, and Councilman Grabowski, the
alternate representative.
Mayor neigesson irljited Mr. William Hinckley, Architect to come befurz
Council and prese:it his revised plans for the Town Hall Expan0r,, ::h.:
Cou,icil questioned Mr. Minckley about the plans, but no final 48ie:'mivaiion
was m.o- concerning these plans at this meeting.
is was also rhe cunsensus of Council that, because of a lack of i,
for the meeting scheduled for November 21, 1973. that this meeting
rai Cel l od.
J. ADJOuRNM'MI':
The:•e being eo further business at hand, Councilwoman Miller moved,
seconcil b�, Grmcilman Grabowski, and unanimously approves, ,C, nr,.;�rn
this =.+ening-s meeting of the City Council. The m-eting n
12:3C A. i.
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Respectfully
Norma J. Hislop
Deputy City Clerk