HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/07/1973TORP! OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
�I CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
November 7, 1973
CC: Peel 58 - Side 1, Tr. 2, 000-1096
Mayor Leslie Helgesson called the regular meeting of the City Council of the
Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:45 PH in the Council Chambers of Town
Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California.
A. ROLL CALL:
Councilmen Cheney, Grabowski, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor
Helpesson and Commissioner Young for the Environmental Planning Commission.
B. CONSENT CALENDAR:
At the request of Councilman McReynolds, Item 3A was removed from the
Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Mrs. Florence Fava, Town Historian, requested that Item 1 be removed
from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
,WW F90TI04l, SECONDED AHD CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by
Councilman Cheney and unaninously carried to adopt the remaining items
on the CONSENT CALENDAR, namely:
2. Approval of Warrants: $6,840.13.
3 (b). Notion approving extension of time for filing of final map,
H. N. Reiser, Central Drive.
4. Resolutions for Adoption:
(b) Resolution No, approving and authorizing execution of agree-
ment for State allministration of local sales and use taxes
between the Town of Los Altos Hills and the State Board of
Equalization.
ITEMS RENCVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION:
1. Approval of Minutes: October 17, 1973 (Regular Meeting)
Under F, "Additional Business% Item 1, lines 1 and 2 - State Historical
Heritage Commission should be changed to read State Historical Landmarks
Advisory Committee.
Sane Item para. 3 - The meeting attended by Councilman Grabowski was
on October 29th instead of November 9 as stated in the Minutes.
CITY COUNCIL MIMUTES - Novenber 7, 1973
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by
Councilman Cheney and carried by a a !.iajority vote, with Councilman
McReynolds abstaining because of his absence last meetinq, to accept
the Minutes of October 17, 1973, as corrected.
3 (b) Resolution Ho. approving revised refunding agreement between
the Town of Los 11tos Hills and Gerald B. Ferrari.
Councilman McReynolds asked Staff if anything had been done to correct
the sewer problem experienced last winter in the Ferrari subdivision.
City Engineer, t1r. Alex Russell, responded that the problem had been
corrected regarding the sewers, as well as other improvements being made
before approval of the Final Map of the Subdivision.
fiOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Miller and unanimously carried to approve Item 3 (b) as
stated above.
3 (d) Resolution No. approving Audit (revised) by C. G. Uhlenberg
Company for FiscaiYear 1972-73.
Councilman Cheney asked whether the Council met with the Auditor as
indicated in Previous Minutes, since he was not seated at the time.
40ftw Mayor Helgesson responded that Council had met with the Auditor who
cleared up the questions that had been raised concerning the Report.
MOTION, SECONDED AtiD CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Miller and unanimously carried to accept the revised Audit.
C. PRESE'!TATIONS FROM THE FLOOR:
1. Report from Mrs. Florence Fava, Town Historian, relative to special
meeting between the Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission
and the Cities within Santa Clara County.
Mrs. Fava reported to Council that she, Mrs. Linda Craig and Mrs.
Elizabeth Hill had attended the meeting in San Jose and that the Commission
had informed the cities that the inventory of historical sites had to be
completed by each city by December 31, 1773 to be included in the
Comprehensive History Plan of each State in order to comply with the
National Historical Preservation Act of 1966. If this is not done, the
State will not be elibible to receive federal grant money for historical
site acquisition, renovation, etc.
Mrs. Fava also reported that the Los Altos Hills Historical Society had
been incorporated and was now off the ground.
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CITY COUNCIL 10UTES - November 7, 1973
Mayor Helgesson asked Mrs. Fava if she anticipated much work for the
Torn in preparing a physical inventory of historical sites. Mrs. Fava
thought she would need help at the Planning Commission level, since
many historical sites might be lost if they were not noted when
subdivision maps were filed.
The Mayor thanked Pars. Fava for her report and stated that the Town would
be glad to help in listing the historical sites.
2. Progress Report from Mrs. Helen Atkinson of the Community Health
Abuse Council.
Mrs. Atkinson stated that she was making a 6 -month interim report for
Council's benefit so they would know how the Health Abuse Council was
progressing. She also commended Los Altos Hills' representative, Mrs.
Solt for her work with the HAC and stated that they looked forward to
working with Councilwoman Miller, newly appointed Council's representative.
Mrs. Atkinson invited the Council to a Luncheon on December 7th and said
additional information would be forthcoming in the mail.
Councilman Grabowski commented that at its' start., he had objected to
the formation of the HAC, but now wished to commend them on the fine
work they were doing.
WNW
3. Mrs. Mildred Gallo, 25720 La Lanne Court, speaking as President of
the Los Altos Hills Association.
The Board of Directors of the Los Altos Hills Association wished to inform
Council that the Association would be happy to type and mail a Town
Newsletter, with Staff mimeographing the stencils.
hir. L. Dawson, Page Mill Road:
Stated on behalf of himself and his partner, Mr. Levine, that the TOWN
CRIER would be happy to print a Town Newsletter as part of the "Ad-
vertiser" section of the paper, at no cost to the Town.
Mr. Dawson also said that he was concerned at Council's refusal to read
a letter he had written to Council at the last meeting on October 27th.
Mayor Helgesson stated that because of litigation no,i pending that this
letter had not been discussed until Executive Session when it was decided
to refer his letter to the lawyer for Sewer Assessment District $S for
response.
Mr. Simmons, Eric Lane:
Hr. Simmons expressed concern about the intersection of Fremont and
Weston where school children are obliged to cross the road without the
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CITY COU@CIL HI?LUTES - November 7, 1973
aid of a stop sign and noted some of the hazards that hindered the
children from crossing safely, such as the blind aspect of the inter-
section, absence of a crossing guard, etc.
lir. Don Spencer, Sherlock Road:
Said that while stop signs were being considered he felt that because
of the visibility problem at the intersections of Page hill and Moody
Rds. that this intersection warranted eoual consideration.
City Manager, Mr. Bruce Lawson, noted that both the County and the City
of Palo Alto had been approached about putting stop signs at this inter-
section, and neither felt that stops were warranted at Page Mill and
61oody Rds.
Councilwoman Miller commented that pressure should be exerted on the
County in view of the dangers at this intersection.
Councilman Grabowski suggested that members of the Council who were
acquainted with the Supervisors of the County approach them by phone to
see if anything could be done about a stop sign at the intersection of
Page Hill and Moody Rds.
Councilman Grabowski also stated that the Council should act on the request
40-W of Mr. Simmons regarding Fremont and Heston Rds., and moved that Council
pass a resolution placing a stop sign at that intersection. Councilman
Cheney seconded the motion.
Before calling the question a discussion ensued with Councilman McReynolds
stating that because he was unfamiliar with the area he would like to see
a report from the City Engineer regarding site distance, the placement
of signs, etc. before he could decide.
The City Manager commented that other alternatives might be sought to
alleviate the dangers, such as asking the Palo Alto School District to
provide a crossing guard here as had been done at Purissima School, and
by trimming the trees and shrubs to improve site distance.
Councilwoman Miller agreed with Councilman McReynolds on a report from
the City Engineer, and felt the School District should be approached with
regard to a crossing guard.
Councilman Grabowski called the question, and the motion to pass a resolution
placing a stop sign at the intersection of Fremont and Weston passed by
the following vote:
AYES: Councilmen Cheney, Grabowski, Mayor Helgesson.
No: Councilman HcReynods, Councilwoman Miller.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 7, 1973
Councilman McReynolds then moved that the City Engineer be directed to
make a study of this intersection for presentation at the next meeting
of the Council. The motion was seconded by Councilman Grabowski, and
carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmen Cheney, Grabowski, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller.
NO: Mayor Helgesson.
Councilman Cheney commented that for the past several meetings Council
had acted on traffic problems without the recommendations of the Traffic
and Public Safety Committee.
Councilman Grabowski agreed, and Staff was requested to direct all
complaints and requests for stop signs to the Traffic and Public Safety
Committee for their recommendations.
D. CONTINUING BUSINESS:
1. Discussion of Specifications for Security Patrol:
City Manager, Mr. Bruce Lawson, read the revised specifications for a
Security Patrol Officer for the benefit of the public.
+� Councilman McReynolds asked Mr. Lawson several questions pertaining to
the radio communications of the Town.
Mayor Helgesson asked City Manager about the daily distance to be covered
by the Patrol. Mr. Lawson responded that the average per day would be
approximately 100 miles.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: After discussion of the specifications,
Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Councilman Cheney to accept the
revised Specifications of November 1, 1973, and that Staff be directed to
accept bids to be presented at the Council meeting on December 5, 1973.
The motion carried unanimously.
E. CURRENT BUSINESS:
1. Request for acceptance of Final Map, Tract #5090, Matadero Oaks
Subdivision.
Mayor Helgesson asked City Engineer if the contractor had complied with
all the conditions set forth by the Environmental Planning Commission.
City Engineer, Mr. Alex Russell,stated that these conditions had been met.
Councilman McReynolds stated that he felt that he would have no way of
knowing whether the final map complied with the tentative map. He had
not seen the geologist's report on this subdivision, and he did not feel
qualified to cast a vote.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 7, 1973
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Mrs. Miller also stated that she had not seen the tentative map and
wished to review it and the geologist's report prior to voting on this
item.
Councilman Cheney said that he was willing to go along with the City
Engineer's assurance that the final map complied with the tentative map
since he would have no practical knowledge of judging the matter himself;
however, he did feel that the information submitted by the Horseman's
association and the Pathway Committee should be presented.
City Attorney, Mr. Frank Gillio, expressed the legal opinion that since
all the conditions pertaining to the subdivision had been complied with,
there was nothing the Council could do at this point in time except for
Council to approve the Final Map. Mr. Gillio also said that Council's
approval was merely pro forma.
The City Hanager read a letter received from the LAH Horsemen's Assoc.
requesting that Council take no action regarding Matadero Oaks until the
restrictions on horses was lifted by the subdivider.
Mr. Jack Luedemann, representing the subdivider of Matadero Oaks, spoke
before Council, stating that the map had been approved by the Planning
Commission on September 26th and was scheduled for Council approval at
+- their meeting on October 8th. On October 8th the subdivider had met with
Staff and had gone over the conditions with them, but at the Council
meeting of the 8th the matter was asked to be carried over. In view of
the money that had been posted with the Town and the fact that conditions
imposed had been complied with, Land Resources, the subdivider, felt that
Council should act on this request this evening.
After much discussion between the subdivider and the Council and Staff,
it was decided to carry the matter of approval over to an Adjourned
Meeting on Wednesday, November 14, 1973 at 4:00 P.M.
F. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS BY COUNCILMEN:
1. Councilman Grabowski:
a. Asked Staff about the Select System of Roads since the gas tax revenue
received by the Town had to be applied to these roads until 90% of them
had been improved.
Mr. Lawson explained that the Select System was determined by the
State, and that the Town had a long way to go before 90% of them
had been improved so the money could be expended on other road repairs.
b. Councilman Grabowski asked Staff to get an estimate on the construction
of fencing around the Town Hall property where the machinery and
t equipment were stored for the benefit of the neighbors surrounding
v Town property.
c. Stated that he was concerned with the health, safety and welfare of
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 7, 1973
of the community insofar as they were being Jeopardized by the
constant malicious removal and defacing of directional and traffic
signs throughout the Town. He proposed the offering of a reward
for the arrest and conviction of persons committing such acts.
Mr. Gi111o, City Attorney, gave his legal opinion as to the imposing
of fines for such acts.
After discussion, the original reward of $1,000 proposed by Council-
man Grabowski, was amended to $500.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Miller to approve the offer by the Town of Los Altos Hills
of a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of
any person found defacing or removing traffic and street signs within the
boundaries of the Town. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Councilman Chen:
a. Suggested that Staff make the Minutes of the City Council more
complete.
b. Asked Staff why the Resolution calling for bids on Elena Road was
+- again taken off the Agenda.
Mr. Lawson responded that this was done at the request of the City
Engineer, and the exact reason was not at hand, but that he would
determine the reason and inform Council.
c. Asked if the fee Study completed by Staff could be placed on the Agenda
for the December 5th Council meeting so it could be reviewed and a
decision made regarding current fees.
d. Asked about the inventory of street signs that Staff was to have under-
taken at the request of Council.
Councilman Grabowski commented that signs were being defaced and/or
removed faster than they could be inventoried and replaced. Mr.
Lawson agreed that it was a constant process with the Mainte,ance
Crew, and that no accurate inventory could be maintained.
3. Mayor Helgesson:
a. The Mayor asked Mr. Spencer to report to Council on the Planning
Policy Committee meeting of Santa Clara County.
After hearing Mr. Spencer's report, it was the unanimous feeling of
Council that insofar as voting procedures for the PPC was concerned,
Council felt that weighted voting was against the original concept
of the PPC, and so instructed its' representatives, Mr. Spencer and
Mr. Cheney to inform the Committee.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 7, 1973
G. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
1. Ordinance No. : An Ordinance of the Town of Los Altos Hills
amending Chapter Ti of Title 3 of the LAH Municipal Code entitled,
"Sales and Use Taxes".
The City Attorney, Mr. Frank Gillio, explained to Council the reason
for this Ordinance which must be in effect by January 1, 1974 in
order to continue to receive sales tax funds from the State. Mr.
Gillio stated that every city in the State must amend their ordinances
to conform with State requirements.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Miller and carried unanimously to waive further reading of
the Ordinance pertaining to Sales and Use Taxes.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by
Councilman Grabowski, and carried unanimously to introduce the above
entitled Ordinance.
H. STAFF REPORTS:
1. City Manager;
.r"► a. Brought up memo of City Engineer and a letter from Pacific Gas and
Electric regarding the undergrounding of utilities, asking Council
to review the recommendations and alternatives so that a decision
could be made in the near future.
b. Included in Council's packet for this evening's meeting was a letter
from Mrs. Lee Lynch of the Santa Clara County Planning Policy
Committee regarding a proposed resolution on the Flood Control District.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Mayor Helgesson moved, seconded by Council-
man Grabowski to send a copy of the City Attorney's memo regarding
joint use of District facilities to the Flood Control District in
response to their request for the Town's reaction. The motion carried
unanimously.
c. Mr. Lawson noted that he had received a letter commending Mr. John
Duran, a member of the Town maintenance crew, who has been working
with the brush chipper for members of the community who wish this
service.
I. EXECUTIVE (PERSONNEL & LITIGATION SESSION:
The Council adjourned to Executive Session at 11:07 PM.
J. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 12:45 PM to an Adjourned Meeting on Wednesday,
kw November 14, 1973 at 4:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted
Norma J. Hislop
-a- Deputy City Clerk