HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/20/1970040 CITY COUNCIL
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
MINUTES CF A REGULAR MEETING
July 20, 1970
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Mayor Walter A. Benson called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the
Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:52 P. M. in the Council Chambers of the
Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, with the following members
answering roll call: Present: Councilmen Aiken, Davey, Grabowski,
Helgesson and Mayor Benson. Absent: None.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE: Commissioner Don T. Hibner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of June 29, 19701
Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Aiken and carried unanimously, that
the Minutes of June 29, 1970 be approved with the deletion of the words
"gaudy pseudo" on Page 2, under Scheduled Item #2 (Steers).
Minutes of July 6, 1970:
Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Grabowski and carried by majority
voice vote, Councilman Aiken abstained since he was absent July 6), that the
Minutes of July 6, 1970 be approved with the following corrections:
1. Page 1 - Change the Planning Commission Representative to Commissioner
Stanley W. Corbett.
2. Page 3 - Change bottom line to read "Absent: Councilman Aiken" instead
of Mayor.
3, Page 4, reword Paragraph 3, second sentence, under Scheduled Item #2,
"Budget for Fiscal Year 1970-71" to read "would provide $14,000 per year
to repay monies withdrawn from the general fund during Fiscal Year
1969-70 and nay Fiscal Year 1970-71 costs o£ the patrol."
4. Add the following statement by Councilman Davey to the end of Scheduled
Item #2 (Budget), on Page 4.
"I will not vote for the Budget because it is unrealistic in both
estimating income for the next Fiscal Year, as well as expenditures.
Moreover, it does not reflect the needs of the Town, nor does it
protect the over $112,0003000 investment in this community. It does
not replenish Capital Reserves to the extent needed and it can only
lead to more deficit spending in the future. (That amount was in
excess of $23,000 during 1969-70.)"
COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Staff advised of small parcel of land (not a building site) near Foothill
College that was being sold for taxes.
COMMUNICATIONS cont'd.:
2. Letter from State Senator Randolph Collier requesting Council support
4& for a resolution opposing AB1320, which would divert highway funds to
education purposes. Council directed Staff to agenda for 8/3/70 meeting.
3. Letter from Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department transmitting a
letter from Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Parise of 27807 Via Ventana complimenting
them on their patrol function.
4. Letter from P. C. Haley, stating she was in favor of the Steers variance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Councilman Aiken announced that having served the Town for over ten
years as a„Oouncilman, Deputy Mayor and Mayor, he felt that the Town now
had a strong,GTou`Acil interested in preserving the Town's original concepts
and therefore offered his resignation effective August 20th.
Council members expressed their regret and their desire that he reconsider.
Mayor Benson moved, seconded by Helgesson and carried by the following vote
that Councilman Aiken's resignation be rejected. Ayes: Councilmen
Grabowski, Helgesson, and Mayor Benson. Noes: Councilman Aiken,
Abstained: Councilman Davey.
Further expressions of gratitude for Councilman Aiken's long service and the
desire that he reconsider were voiced from the Floor by the following:
Mmes. D. Miller, F. Fava, I. Goldsmith, M. Saviano, K. Ward, and Messrs.
J. W. Dochnahl, R. Towle, and D. T. Hibner.
Councilman Aiken acknowledged the residents' wishes and asked that he have a
while to reconsider. Council agreed to continue the matter to later in the
meeting.
2. City Manager read a 1retes-t-3etbar signed by eighty-five people request-
ing immediate work be undertaken on the "S" curve, between Bullis School and
Edith Roadvt= Pr.V,o.. <_
Staff noted work was planned to alleviate this dangerous "S" curve and that
it was contemplated for this year's budget. Speaking from the Floor:
Mr. Gardner Bullis urged immediate steps be taken; Mrs. J. Ott, of Seven
Acres Lane, suggested as a temporary measure to prune along the curve.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by
Grabowski and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that the Town authorize
Staff to proceed with the required engineering toward alleviating this
hazardous "S" curve above the Galli properties on Fremont Road.
SCHEDULED ITEM NO. 1:
LANDS OF SNARR, TENTATIVE MAP (372-70) 1 lot (elimination of lot line)
1.85 acres, located at 12581 Miraloma Way,
City Manager noted the applicant wishes to remove a lot line to justify the
reduction of his sewer assessment from two units to one unit in the Los Altos -
County -Los Altos Hills Summerhill Sanitary Sewer District and the Planning
Commission had unanimously recommended this action. The applicant also
requested permission to file a Parcel Map in lieu of a Final Map.
`y MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Davey moved, seconded by Helgesson
and carried unanimously, that the Tentative Map for Lands of Snarr (372-70)
be approved in accordance with the Check List dated July 13, 170, and that
permission be granted to file a Parcel Map conditional upon a $50.00 fee.
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SCHEDULED ITEM NO. 2:
LANDS CFMT. HELEN (DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL) TENTATIVE
MAP (366-69) 2 lots, Altamont Road. Engr. Riley & Cuffe.
City Manager explained the applicant wished to subdivide the entire parcel
known as tat. Helen into two sites; one portion (13.99 acres) would continue
to be used by the Orphanage, and the other (31.31 acres) would be the location
of the proposed convent. Staff noted the Planning Commission, having
thoroughly studied this application, recommended its approval to the City
Council. Although the Commission could not agree on the amount of in -lieu
road payment for the Altamont and Moody Road frontages, they recommended it
be established somewhere between 50% and 100% of that amount which would
normally be required.
Council discussion ensued as to the amount of road in -lieu payment,as well
as the need for path installation along Altamont rather than path in -lieu
payments. Floor participation included Commissioners Weisbart, Hibner and
McReynolds, Mr. G. Ferrari, representing the applicant, Mrs. M. Saviano,
Pathway Committee Chairman, and Mr. R. Towle, 26493 Weston Road.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by
Grabowski and carried unanimously, that the Tentative Map for Mt. Helen
(Roman Catholic Orphanage) (366-69) 2 lots, Altamont Road, be approved in
accordance with the Check List dated July 13, 1970, but updated to show:
Under Item Y2, that Road In -lieu Payment will be seventy-five (75%) percent
of that normally required for the frontage along Altamont and Moody Road;
Under Item #4 (a) PATHS, insert the word "only" after "equestrian use" in
the second line.
SCHEDULED ITEM NO. 3:
USE PERMIT FOR DAUGHTERS CF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL (UP -340-70),
Altamont Road.
Staff stated the Planning Commission had recommended ten conditions to the
granting of the Use Permit to the Daughters of Charity for the proposed
convent on Parcel "B" of the Mt. Helen property. The recommended conditions
were reviewed and included a statement that approval would be conditioned
on retention of essentially the amount of open space shown on February 13,
1970 Plot Plan.
MOTION, SBCCNDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Davey moved, seconded by Grabowski
and carried unanimously, that the Use Permit for Daughters of Charity of
St. Vincent de Paul (UP -340-70) be approved, subject to the conditions as
recommended by the Planning Commission in memo dated July 13, 1970,
OTHER BUSINESS•
RESIGNATION OF COUNCILMAN AIKEN.
Councilman Aiken reiterated that after contributing 7000 hours to Town
affairs, he had concluded it was "time to return to his family and children"
and that he was not offering, but tendering his resignation effective
August 31, 1970. (This date, when stated, was in error. Councilman Aiken's
formal written resignation is effective October 31, 1970.)
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UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 1:
REPORT ON NOISE FROM FOOTHILL EXPRESSWAY ACID REQUEST FOR ACTION.
Dr. Marjorie Evans presented a report on the noise -generated along Foothill
Expressway and requested the Council urge through a resolution to the
Beard of Supervisors that they resurface Foothill Expressway to reduce the
noise level caused by tires on the existing chip seal coat surface.
Mr. Donald A. Miller, Chairman of the Noise Abatement Committee, further
emphasized that the Town should express their objections to the chip seal
experiment (the rumble supposedly deterred speeders) and adopt the
resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 601
City Attorney introduced and read in its entirety Resolution No. 601, a
resolution of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills urging prompt
and smooth resurfacing of Foothill Expressway.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Davey moved, seconded by
Grabowski and carried unanimously by roll call vote, that Resolution No. 601
be adopted as read.
UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 2:
REPORT ON TRUCK NOISE ON HIGMAY 280 AND REQUEST FOR ACTION ON ABATEMENT CE
SAME.
City Manager reviewed a letter from Mrs. Richard C. Bachman, 12896 La Barranca
t Road, requesting the Council to consider action to eliminate truck noise
on Highway 2809 and noting there had been a sharp increase in the noise level
since July 6th, due to increased hauling from the Neary Quarry. Staff noted
a history, since 1956, of complaints related to the trucks moving to and
from the quarry operation.
Staff had contacted the Sheriff's Department, who in turn contacted the
California Highway Patrol, to see if the two of them together could run
some noise level tests to identify the offending vehicles. Discussion
noted that citations for violation of the Vehicle Code pertaining to
allowable decibel levels were not being issued, because a test case was
currently pending before the Courts. Council concurred enforcement should
not be withheld for this reason, either by the Sheriff or by the California
Highway Patrol.
RESOLUTION NO. 602
City Attorney introduced and read in its entirety Resolution No. 602, a
resolution of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills directing
uniform and thorough enforcement throughout the Town of Los Altos Hills
by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department of noise suppression
statutes.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Davey moved, seconded by
Grabowski and carried unanimously by roll call vote, that Resolution No. 602
be adopted as read.
`, MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Aiken,
and carried by unanimous roll call vote, to direct the City Attorney to seek
injunctive action against J. R. Case & Co, to cease and desist using roads of
Los Altos Hills until their muffler noise is abated.
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PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR:
Mrs. Wm. Ward presented the latest results on the Townwide Questionnaire,
which concerned the residents suggestions as to the direction the Town was
moving or should move and how they might attain these goals. To summarize
the report -- "continue the struggle to maintain beauty and rural
atmosphere".
UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 3•
PROPOSAL FOR TAX INCREASE TO RETIRE OPEN SPACE DEBT.
Councilman Davey had requested that this item be agended for discussion.
She proposed the Council consider a .050 tax increase on top of the current
.250 tax rate to be used to offset the acquisition of Byrne Park and the
Little League playground, which was being paid from the General Fund, thus
resulting in a current land acquisition deficit of $12,000. She noted that
the current General Fund Reserve was down to approximately $40,000 while a
figure considered reasonable as a General Fund Reserve for a Town of this
size would be closer to $140,000.
Ensuing Council discussion noted the questionnaire had indicated residents
were overwhelmingly against a local tax increase, that some local assess-
ments had gone up from 236to 5096 and that the County budget had increased
19%. Consensus was the Town must hold the line on the present tax rate
and the Motion by Councilman Davey died for lack of a Second.
UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 4:
DISCUSSION OF OFFICE OF CITY ENGINEER AND REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO
PROCEED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITION TO TOWN HALL TO HOUSE THE
ENGINEER'S OFFICE.
Staff presented two alternative plans proposed for expanding the present
Town Hall. One plan proposed an extension at a right angle, joining into
the present Building Inspector's Office. The other plan was a straight
line extension from the office out into the parking lot. The City Manager
noted that without an expansion to our present space, we could not accommodate
an engineer and therefore he would recommend against hiring the engineer.
It was further stated that with an immediate go ahead on a building
expansion, a reasonable transition to our own engineering department would
require four to six months.
Discussion noted the longer the time lapse to begin the transition, the
less gas tax monies would be available to charge off to our engineering
department. For example, the immediate go-ahead with the "Little Twister"
would require some adjustment to the budget. Council discussion noted costs
would be about equal to hire our own or hire out, but the convenience of an
on-site engineer would be an outweighing feature.
Floor participation regarding the proposed building expansion included
Mrs. D. Spencer, who noted her concern whenever meetings are held by the
Town Committees and their awesome responsibilities due to the open access to
Town files and equipment; and Mrs. D. Miller opposed the additional
expenditure in light of the "bare bones" budget and questioned "lease/
purchase"on public lands.
A MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Aiken moved, seconded by Helgesson,
that the City Manager proceed with effort preparatory to construction and
then submit the projected costs to the Council fox consideration, was carried
by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilmen Aiken, Grabowski, Helgesson
and Mayor Benson. Noes: Councilman Davey. Absent: None.
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UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 4: Town Hall Addition cont'd.:
Also speaking from the Floor, Mr, R. Towle suggested the often proposed
acquisition of Purissima Water District might be re -investigated with the
thought of combined use of an engineer. Mr. M. R. Johnson, of the
Purissima Water District Board, agreed to the advantages of sharing
engineering but questioned the Town's authority for acquisition of the
Water District since they also serve parts of the County and Palo Alto.
Council directed Staff to investigate in depth the feasibility of the Town
acquiring the Water District.
UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 5•
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF SEPTIC TANKS FOR THE FOUR -LOT SUBDIVISION OF
M. R. JOHNSON (301-65) LOCATED ON PURISSIMA NEAR ARASTRADERO ROAD.
Staff stated Mr. John W. Riley, engineer for Mr. Johnson, had requested that
the City Council override the Health Department's directive that sanitary
sewers must be provided for this subdivision. Mr. Glenn Hildebrand,
representing the Santa Clara County Health Department, reiterated their
previous stand.
Discussion ensued relative to the prohibitive cost if the applicant is
required to hook-up to a sewer line a mile away, and, by so doing, he would
be prevented fair usage of his land when a possible alternative might be
available.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Aiken moved, seconded by
Grabowski and carried unanimously, that on-site sewage disposal be approved,
providing an acceptable special system design is submitted to the Health
Department for their approval.
Council concurred Health Department approval must be granted prior to
acceptance of the Final Map.
UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 6:
Clarification of zoning request by Mr. R. W. Towle was withdrawn.
UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 7•
REQUEST FOR TOWN TO TAKE OVER MAINTENANCE OF PLANTED DIVIDER STRIP ON
ST. FRANCIS DRIVE.
Staff read a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Rosenberg, 26485 St. Francis
Drive, asking the Town to take over the maintenance of the planted median
strip on St. Francis Drive, near Fremont Road. It was noted without adding
additional personnel to the Public Works Department, this type of additional
responsibility was impossible without slighting some other work.
Speaking from the Floor in their behalf as the concerned residents were
Messrs. J. Rosenberg and Robert Moulton.
Council concurred other than watering, our present Staff could not provide
the desired maintenance of the planter strip.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Aiken moved, seconded by Davey
and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that watering the median strip on
St. Francis Drive be provided every four to six weeks.
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UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 8:
AUTHORIZE ACTION AGAINST WENDELL ROSCOE TO OBTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH ORD. #105.
At the last meeting of the Council, a discussion ensued regarding the
refusal of Mr. Roscoe to clean up a pile of debris on Pink Horse Ranch
(near the barn and silo). Staff advised that the Town had sufficient
power under Ordinance No. 105 to obtain compliance, if so desired.
Speaking from the Floor, Mr. Roscoe indicated he had been removing this trash,
but he was also adding to the pile as fast as he was removing it. Following
discussion of the many previous requests to Mr. Roscoe for removal of this
debris Council concurred legal action should be taken to obtain its removal.
,
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Aiken moved, seconded by Helgesson
and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that the City Attorney take any
steps necessary to obtain the removal of this unsightly debris on Pink Horse
Ranch in accordance with Ordinance No. 105.
UNSCHEDULED NO. 9:
REQUEST FOR PERMISSION FOR CITY MANAGER TO BE OUT OF TOWN AND ABSENT FROM
THE COUNCIL MEETINGS OF AUGUST 3RD AND 17TH, AND DESIGNATION CF TED J.
KLUZEK AS TEMPORARY CITY MANAGER.
City Manager noted he will be on three weeks of vacation from August 1st
through the 23rd. According to the Town's ordinance, the City Manager must
request permission to be absent from a Council meeting and designate a
Temporary City Manager.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Aiken moved, seconded by
Grabowski and carried unanimously to allow the City Manager his three weeks
vacation and that the City Clerk be designated as acting Temporary City
Manager.
RESOLUTIONS•
Resolution No. 603
The City Attorney introduced and read in its entirety Resolution No. 603, a
resolution of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills requesting
uniform and thorough enforcement throughout the Town of Los Altos Hills
by the California Highway Patrol of noise suppression statutes.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Aiken moved, seconded by Helgesson
and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that Resolution No. 603 be adopted
as read.
ORDINANCES•
Ordinance No. 176, Second Reading - re business licenses and home occupations.
The City Attorney read the title of Ordinance No. 176, an ordinance of the
City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills amending annual rates of certain
business licenses and imposing a license tax upon home occupations.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Aiken moved, seconded by Helgesson
and carried bymaanimous roll call vote, that further reading of
Ordinance No. 176 be waived.
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ORDINANCES: Ord. #176, Second Reading, cont'd.:
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Aiken moved, seconded by Davey
and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that Ordinance No. 176 be adopted
as read.
WARRANTS:
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by gni f7
Aiken and carried unanimously by roll call vote, that the warrants as c..�.c.♦.o �,
presented in the amount of TWENTY-THREE THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHT
DOLLARS and Ninety-one Cents ($23,708.91) be approved and the City Clerk
authorized to draw the appropriate warrants.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Mayor Benson adjourned the meeting at s,.. 91317v
2.r��eiow
12:10 A. M. TO:
NPXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, August 3, 1970 at 7:45 P. M. at Town Hall.
Respectfully
'/submitted,
#60 TED J. fiaMFK
City Clerk
TJVmam Town of Los Altos Hills
7/20/70
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