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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/05/1971CITY COUNCIL TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING April 5, 1971 REEL 35 - SIDE 1, TRACK 1 -- FOOTAGE 00 - 1350 REEL 35 - SIDE 2, TRACK 1 -- FOOTAGE 00 - 400 Mayor Walter A. Benson called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos lulls to order at 7:48 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, with the following members answering foll call: Present: Councilmen Corbett, Davey, Grabowski, Helgesson and Mayor Benson. Absent: None. PLANNING COMIiISSION REPRESENTATIVE: Commissioner Spencer APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 15, 1971 Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Corbett and carried unanimously that the minutes of March 15, 1971 be approved as written. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Invitation from Cupertino in cooperation with Santa Clara County to attend dedication and open house of their new library at 10400 Torre Avenue on Saturday, ` April 10, 1971. 2. F.A.A. will conduct a public presentation on April 6, 1971 at Foothill College in the cafeteria dealing with problems of air traffic routing of inbound and outbound flights over the mid -peninsula. 3. Col, Frank N. Yochem, Jr. submitted his resignation from the Traffic and Public Safety Committee. 4. Letter of resignation from the Pathway Committee was submitted by Mrs. Judith La Roy. 5. Nature Conservancy advised the commemorative placque for Byrne Preserve has been received. Staff was requested to set a satisfactory date for dedication ceremonies and extend a special invitation to all citizens instrumental in obtaining this Open Space Preserve. 6. Stanford extended invitation to all councilmen and other interested parties to view the plant and landscaping plane for the Fairchild Camera facility near Deer Creek Road and Arastradero. 7. City Manager J. R. Huff of Saratoga requested Los Altos Hills support for the proposed 2C tax increase for the County Library System. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Benson and carried unanimously to endorse the City Manager's position and "hold the line" at the present tax rate of 21C. B. Copy of letter from Mr. Winston B. Boone to Purissima Water District requesting ` they give attention to landscaping of their facilities. 9. County Executive advised sheriff service for upcoming year (although not yet finalised) would be in the area of $19.78 an hour vs. the current $15.05 an hour. Mr. Pritschle reported on other correspondence between the Contract Cities and the County Executive pertaining to Law Enforcement services. 10. ABAG submitted dues of $228.00 for the upcoming fiscal year. Staff noted that this amount reflected about 5Z increase over the previous year. Council discussion indicated that prior to payment further discussion should be agended. 11. Letter from Mrs. Lois Bogle expressed her objection to the removal of Councilman Davey from the committee negotiating garbage rates. 12. Senator Paul McCloskey advised that he will do all he can to suggest public hearings prior to future FAA changes to flight patterns. UNSCHEDULED ITEM N0. 1 Report of Traffic and Public Safety Committee re: Police Service Chairman R. C. Cheney reported to the Council that the majority decision of the committee was to continue contracting law enforcement service with the Sheriff's department for fiscal year 1971-72. He noted the consensus was that the Town would eventually need its own police service, but coats to establish a minimal 4 department would be prohibitive at present. An estimated 7 man department would approximate an outlay of $120,000 as compared to the current $65,000 coats for the Sheriff and Security Patrol.' L161 Mrs. Goldbeck, speaking for minority decision, felt that establishment of a Town police department was feasible. She stated its implementation would require a tax increase, but noted the substantial rate increase anticipated for sheriff services will also most likely necessitate a tax increase. Councilman Grabowski stated that presently reciprocal aid agreements with neighboring communities can cause the Town to be without coverage. Mr. Cheney noted that the same applies to other areas should additional assistance be needed here, and that even with a Town police force, there could be occasion to need more men than are available. The sheriff however, can pull in as many men as necessary in an emergency. Councilman Helgessou noted that the estimated cost for a Town police force did not include the cost of facilities nor communication services which would have to be contracted out. Mr. Cheney concurred that the cost estimates were ultraconservative. Council discussion noted that due to the numerous conflicting cost projections to establish a police force, additional study by the Traffic and Safety Committee was warranted. Councilman Davey reiterated an earlier suggestion that this subject be referred to a professional consultant, but majority opinion was that this inforr tion was obtainable without such a major dollar outlay. -2- UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 2 4 Appointment of Planning Commissioner to fill the unexpired term of Don T. Nibner. Mayor Benson stated nominations were open for appointment of a Planning Commissioner. Councilman Corbett nominated Mr. James L. Mueller, 12728 La Cresta. No other names were placed in nomination. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Corbett moved, seconded by Grabowski and carried by majority vote that a white ballot be cast to appoint Mr. James L. Mueller to the Planning Commission to fill the unexpired term running until January, 1973. Chairman Weisbart of the Planning Commission stated that she had not been consulted by the Council regarding this appointment. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 3 Study resolution placing the entire Town in an "Agricultural or Open Space Preserve." Mr. Pritachle reported that the City Attorney's resolution placing the entire Town in an agricultural or open apace preserve had been submitted to the Council for review and if acceptable, it should now be referred to the Planning Commission for their recommendation, after which a Public Rearing would be required before the Council. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Corbett and carried unanimously that this resolution placing the entire Town in an �. agricultural preserve be referred to the Planning Commission for their recommenda- tions and returned to the Council. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 4: Report on Open Space - Councilman Corbett Councilman Corbett provided a statue report on open space activity and exhibited maps prepared by Mr. Charles McCandless which indicated present public and private open space. A draft of an open apace element which he had prepared was distributed to the Council. This draft was comprised of the following four sections: 1. Relates to Town Ordinances as they pertain to open space. 2. Deals with present open space - public and private. 3. Future sources of public open space and means of acquisition. 4. Master open space acquisition priority list. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 5: Consider request for rate increase - Los Altos Garbage Company Staff stated that current coat figures had been received from the Garbage Company in response to the Council's request. These figures illustrated the manpower coat hikes since 1965. In 1965 they were $26.02 per day; in June 1970 they were $42.85 and in June 1971 they will be $45.63 per day. Council discussion ensued ackowledging these substantial increases in operating coats. Councilman Davey stated that in spite of these increases, she would not AW support a rate hike unless a more positive recycling plan than locating a can collection bin at Town Hall was proposed. She advocated a pilot project of monthly -3- 4 pickup of segregated garbage at homes from a designated area to determine its feasibility. Floor expressions questioning the coats presented were heard from Mrs. June McIlwraith, 13431 Wildcrest Drive; Mr. A. M. Laws, 11210 Hooper Lane; and Mr. R. C. Cheney. Councilman Helgesson and Grabowski noted recycling deserves attention, but efficient recycling must be economically feasible. They concurred that the justification of a rate increase should be determined on the basis of current operating coats and was unrelated to a recycling program which entailed unknown costs. Mr. De Martini of the Los Altos Garbage Company noted that they have a liaison with the Area Recycling Committee to further the goals of recycling. In addition, they are investigating the feasibility of using the San Francisco trucks that haul garbage to Mountain View and then "deadhead" back with the thought of utilizing them to haul recycled materials from this area to the Brisbane recycling plant on their return. MOTION. SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Belgesson and carried by majority roll call vote to approve that the monthly basic rate for Los Altos Garbage Company be increased from $1.90 to $3.40 for one can within 100' of the road. Councilman Davey voted no, as no positive action to initiate a recycling program was being provided with the rate increase. Motion by Councilman Corbett to reduce the rate increase to $3.20 failed. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 6: Consider change in Ordinance No. 105 - Fire Marshall Farwell Staff reviewed this request which suggested Section 23 of Ordinance No. 105 pertaining to swimming pool regulations be amended to delete the requirement for pools in certain areas of the Town to be provided with a connection which can be used by the Fire Department for an auxiliary water source. MOTION. SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Helgesaon and carried unanimously that an amended ordinance be prepared incorporating the Fire Marshall's proposed change to Ordinance No. 105. STAFF REPORTS: 1. Staff advised that an auto rally had been held at Foothill College the previous Saturday and no complaints were received. 2. Mr. Fritschle reported that Foothill College has been requested to shield their floodlights. 3. City Engineer noted that the previously discussed catch basin problem at Berry Hill Farms has been resolved with the completion of improvements at Deerfield Acres. -4- 4. City Manager explained that the misunderstanding with Mr. Whitley has been resolved and that the Horsemen's Association has been requested to refrain from having their dues mailed to the Town Hall. PRESE`ITATIONS FROM THE FLOOR: !Xs. Christiane Paddock. presented the Council with maps and other information on St. Emilion, Prance, which she has proposed to be considered as a Sister City of Los Altos Hills. The city of 2,500 was founded in the eighth century and in addition to its world reknown wines, "considered to be the highest expression of hill wines", it is endowed with some of the Gironde's more magnificent historical points of interest. Council unanimously expressed their interest in Mrs. Paddock's proposal and directed the City Attorney to prepare a resolution for approval at the next meeting extending the Town's desire to establish a Sister City Program with St. Emilion. 2. Mrs. June MCIlwraith questioned Councilman Grabowski as to why when he represents the Council, that he could justify his abstention from voting in support of the proposed Regional Park District at the last LAFCO meeting. Councilman Grabowski stated per parliamentary procedure his vote of abstention was the same as an affirmative vote and that it was proper in view of his resolution pending before the Council to preserve the autonomy and assure the self-determination of the electorate in the matter of the Mid-Peninaula Regional Park District. 3. Mr. Gerald Ferrari proposed that a solution to the Palo Alto Sewer Basin debt might be found if all of those near sewer lines as well as those in S.A.D.#3 and #5 were required to hook up to the sewer. He suggested an exception be granted to those with new septic tanks since inception of the Town Sewer Policy. RESOLUTIONS 1. Resolution No. 615 commending Florence M. Fava Staff introduced and read in its entirety Resolution No. 615, a resolution of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills commending Florence M. Fava for her services as Town Historian. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIEDI Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Grabowski and carried unanimously by roll call vote that Resolution No. 615 be adopted as read. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIEDi Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Helgesson and carried by majority roll call vote (Davey abstaining) that Mrs. Fava submit her expenses as Historian from May 1969 to the City Manager for review and recommendation to the Council for reimbursement. ORDINANCES: 1. Ordinance No. 182 - Amending Ordinance No. 164 relating to dog licenses (First Reading) Staff noted this ammendment was to provide for increased dog license fees and establish a fee for duplicate licensee to offset increased operational costs 570 in the Animal Control Program. Mr. Fritschle read the title of Ordinance No. 182, an ordinance of the Town of Los Altos Hills amending No. 145 of said Town, as amended, relating to dog licenses. MOTION. SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Helgeason and carried by unanimous roll call vote that further reading of Ordinance No. 182 be waived. WARRANTS: MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Grabowski and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that the warrants as presented in the amount of NINE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED NINETY TWO DOLLARS and THIRTY SEVEN CENTS ($9,692.37) be approved and the City Clark authorized to draw the appropriate warrants. OTHER BUSINESS BY COUNCILMEN: 1. Councilman Davey requested that the Town Sewer Policy be agended for next meeting for discussion relative to whether it should not be reversed, since it was not on this meeting's agenda as requested. She stated the current financial dilemma in the Palo Alto Basin could have been averted had this policy not been followed and that if a compulsory capacity district is formed, it in effect negates the voluntary sewer policy as well as creates legal ramifications anyway. 040 Councilman Helgesson responded by referring to the letter sent to all proposed members of S.A.D. /3, which stated that "if, in the future, no other connections to the system in the area draining to Palo Alto materialize, then the $402,393 for future expansion must be underwritten by the original members of the district". He noted this obviously was unfair to expect those members of S.A.D. N3 and U5 to carry the burden for those who have a potential benefit from the contract even though that benefit may be somewhere in the distant future. Furthermore, at the time of signing the Palo Alto contract, it was essentially an obligation of the entire Town, but the purchase of treatment rights in the Los Altos system by the residents in the Los Altos Basin' changed the situation and the Palo Alto contract now becomes an obligation of the property owners in that portion of the Town that drains to Palo Alto. Therefore, assessing all buildable sites in the Palo Alto Basin that have not purchased capacity rights is the only equitable solution to the fulfilling of our financial obligation under the Palo Alto contract. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor Benson adjourned the meeting at 12:15 A.M. to: NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, April 19, 1971 at 7:45 P.M. at Town Hall. Respectfully //submitted, �Z TED J. U ER taw City Clerk -Treasurer Town of Los Altos Hills TJK/jp -6-