Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/07/1970el CITY COUNCIL TOWN OF IAS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING December 7, 1970 REEL 32 - SIDE 1, TRACK 1 -- FOOTAGE 00-1335 REEL 32 - SIDE 2, TRACK 1 -- FOOTAGE 00-85 Mayor Walter A. Benson called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:46 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 Corbett, Davey, Grabowski, Helgesson and Mayor Benson. Absent: None. PLANNING CCMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE: Commissioner Wm. A. Perkins APPROJAL OF MINUTES: November 16, 1970. Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Corbett and carried by majority voice vote (Helgesson abstained since he was absent) that the Minutes of November 16, 1970 be approved, with the following correction: Page 2, Item No. 2, Parkside Revised Tentative Map II -B, change the last sentence of the last paragraph of this item to read: -'Mr. Lambert reiterated his previous offer to allow a seven year option to the Town to purchase approximately 411 acres of this 4 parcel situated above Moody Court at a total price of $8,500." 1. Mrs. Harry L. Russell, 25322 Lagena Road, requested Council attention to the auto rally held at Foothill College on November 21st, due to the ex- cessive noise generated. 2. Staff referred the above communication to Dr. H. H. Semans, President of Foothill College. Dr. Semans replied that Foothill College would re- examine their policy on such events in terms of the noise level generated. Council discussion ensued, with Floor participation from Mr. Gilbert Parker representing several Foothill College students present. A statement signed by 23 residents adjoining the campus was presented which indi Bated that they had no objection to the event. Council concurred that Councilman Grabowski and the City Manager should arrange a meeting with Dr. Semans to discuss the desirability of holding future similar events within the community so as to preclude reoccurrence of this objectionable noise. 3. Comparative Transit. District election results (Proposition A) by city within Santa Clara County were distributed. It was noted that 58% of the Town favored the District, while in San Jose it only was supported by 46.4% of the voters. 4. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and Western Union advised that they have filed for a proposed rate increase. S. Letter from Mr. H. E. Aldrich, Area Manager of the FAA, explained the impracticability of precise spacing of inbound flights to San Francisco International over South Peninsula. 6. Mrs, F. L. Tippett, 12200 Winton Way, expressed appreciation for the 6 excellent service received from the patrol service. 7. Senator Clark Bradley acknowledged receipt of our request as to the extent of services the Sheriff is required to provide an incorporated city and advised that it had been forwarded to the Legislative Counsel's Office. 8. League of Women's •oters advised that they will be soliciting financial support in the Town during February, in accordance with Ordinance No. 97. SCHEDULED ITEM NO. 1• REQUEST FOR REFUND OF $364.98 for DRAINAGE FEE FROM RICHARD B. OLIVER. Staff reviewed this item which had been continued from the last meeting to allow Councilman Helgesson to be present to explain the origin of Ordinance No. 141 to Mr, Oliver, which requires cost sharing of drainage responsibili- ties between the developer and the builder. Councilman Helgesson noted that the intent of the Ordinance was to insure that the builder share in the responsibility since all roofed and paved areas increase runoff above and beyond that increase generated by the subdivider's actions. MOTION.SECOPIDED _ND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Corbett and carried unanimously, that the refund of drainage fees requested by Mr. Richard B. Oliver be denied. The Town Engineer was directed to investigate the origin of the extreme bank erosion, which appeared to be due to improper drainage ditch beside a private road behind Mr. Oliver's property. SCHEDULED ITEM NO. 2• DISCUSSION OF PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT PROPOSAL. Councilman Davey provided material on the proposed formation of a Mid - Peninsula Regional Park District and introduced Mr. Stanley Norton, of Palo Alto, who explained the proposed district and its purpose. The District would encompass the area from Redwood City south to and including Los Gatos and from the Bay to Skyline Boulevard and would acquire foothill land to hold for open space and recreational uses. If approved by the voters, the Regional Park District would have taxing paver to provide monies for the land acquisition at the rate of ten (10) cents per $100. Mrs. Nanette Hanko presented results of their poll of 4600 residents of the proposed area (over 200,000 registered voters) that indicated over 80% of those questioned favored formation of the District. In summation, the Council's endorsement to LAFCO for support of the Regional Park District was requested. Council discussion ensued, with Floor participation by Mr. Wallace Stegner, 13456 South Forks Lane, Dr, Robert R. Buss, 2265 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, Mr, David Bellucci, 26220 Moody Road, and Mrs. Lois C. Hogle, 2000 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto. Councilman Grabowski expressed reservations as to the implied tax increase, since the recent Town -wide questionnaire had indicated residents would not ` favor purchasing additional open space if increased taxes were required. ` The statistics presented by Mrs. Hanko, noting an apparent decided reversal of thinking within the Town during the last few months regarding this subject, were questioned. -2- Mayor Benson noted that any such tax increase would be, because the voters elected to form the Regional Park District. He emphasized that it would be the voters who will weigh whether they prefer increased taxes to maximize Open space. He further noted that supporting the retention of open space was furthering our rural atmosphere and thus in keeping with the Town 's basic philosophy. In addition, should this Regional Park District be formed, the Town - although paying proportionately less than our more dense neighbors - would benefit most due to the proximity of the Park Region. Council concurred that a resolution be prepared urging favorable support of the proposed formation of a Mid -Peninsula Regional Park District and re- questing favorable action by the Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties' Boards Of Supervisors and Local Agency Formation Commissions so as to place the proposal before the voters at the earliest possible time. At the Council's request to take out of sequence at this time, the City Attorney introduced and read in its entirety, RESOLUTION NO. 608, a resolution of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills supporting the concept of a Mid -Peninsula Regional Park District. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Davey moved, seconded by Corbett and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that Resolution No. 608 be adopted as read. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 1: PRESENTATION OF AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1969-70. City Manager distributed and reviewed the recently completed audit for Fiscal Year 1969-70. It was noted that certain restricted funds from in -lieu payments and application deposits had been tranferred out of the General ` Fund, so that the resultant General Fund reserve at June 30, 1970 of $49,275 was totally unrestricted. Discussion noted that the initial payment for the Little League property was not included in Fiscal Year 1969-70 Expenditures and that the Town had been requested this day to pay both the initial payment of $11,000 and the second annual payment of $11,000. Council discussion noted that the delay in processing and consummating the contract which the Town authorized over a year ago was not due to the Town's neglect and therefore the effective date should be naw, not retroactive to the date originally authorizing the contract. Staff was requested to contact the School District to determine if the contract date could be postponed for one year rather than forcing the Town to make a double payment,and report back at the next Council meeting. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 2: REQUEST FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH THE NATURE CONSERVANCY. Staff noted that the lease -purchase agreement for Byrne Preserve called for the sharing of property taxes, whereby the taxes on the parcel purchased were prorated between the Town and The Nature Conservancy. On the parcels leased (5 remaining), the Town paid $1.00 per parcel to lease, while The Nature Conservancy assumed all the taxes (approximately $33.00) on the leased property. This amount is reduced each year by the Town's purchase of an additional parcel. The Nature Conservancy requested that the new lease agreement for the remaining parcels incorporate a provision that the Town assume all taxes. Staff recommended that this request be granted to facili- t460 ate administration of the contract. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Davey and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that The Nature Conservancy be advised that the Tann will assume the property taxes on the leased portion of Byrne Preserve and that such proviso be incorporated in the new annual lease agree- ment. -3- UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 3: MURST FOR COUNCIL ACTION RB: NOISY VEHICLES Dr. Marjorie W. Evans, 14511 De Bell Drive, requested a committee be appointed to study better enforcement of the State Vehicle Code in the area of per- missible noise levels as it pertains to unmuffled or inadequately muffled vehicles. Council discussion ensued with Floor participation by Dr. Wans and Messrs. D. A. Miller, Chairman of Noise Abatement Committee, 13076 Vista del Valle Court, and A. M. Laws, 11210 Hooper Lane. The desirability and possible effectiveness of discussing with the Municipal Court an apparent failure to enforce statuatoxy penalties and thus discourage such violators was con- sidered to be the basic reason that the enforcement agencies were not expending efforts to cite violators. Council concurred that a committee headed by Councilman Grabowski and composed of Councilman Helgesson and a representative of the Noise Abatement Committee investigate this problem and meet with the Court to urge effective punitive action be taken against such offenders. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 4: FINAL REPORT ON 5+ acre dedication of Open Space - Duveneck. Staff reported that the paperwork relative to the grant deed from the Duvenecks for the open space dedication along Adobe Creek had been accomplished and was ready for recordation. (The Council accepted the dedication at the previous meeting.) UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 5: REPORT FROM COMMITTEE STUDYING AMENDMENTS TO OUR FIRE ORDINANCE. Due to the heavy agenda, Council concurred that this item be continued to the next meeting. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 6: DISCUSSION OF HOLIDAYS FOR 1971. Council concurred that this item relative to employee holidays and fringe benefits be continued to the December 21, 1970 Agenda. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 7: APPOINTMENT OF A PLANNING CCMMISSIONER. Mayor Benson opened discussion to the Council for nominations for a planning commissioner to fill the unexpired term (which runs until May 4, 1974) formerly held by Councilman Corbett. Council discussion ensued as to how the vote would be made. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Grabowski and carried unanimously, that voting on nominees would be by secret ballot with the selection based on whoever received the most votes, but in the event of a tie, a secret majority vote would determine between those two. -4- y NOMINATIONS WERE AS FOLLOWS FOR PLANNING COMMISSIONER: 41V Councilman Grabowski nominated Cdr. (USN Ret.) Joseph W. Dochnahl, 27980 Central Drive. His active participation in Town affairs and present membership on the Pathway Committee was noted. Councilman Corbett nominated Mr. William H. Magruder, 13091 North Alta Lane, citing his personal and community accomplishments, as well as creative and careful approach to solving problems. Councilman Davey nominated Mr. Robert C. Cheney, 10737 Magdalena Road, lauding his interest in Town activities as a frequent participant in the Town's meetings and as a member of the Traffic Safety Committee. His effort expended to provide the Council room with a map rack was commended. Nominations were closed, ballots were passed to the Staff and Mr. William H. Magruder was determined as the new appointee. Noting Mr. Magruder was present in the audience, Mayor Benson introduced the new Planning Commissioner, who will serve to May 4, 1974, and Council congratulations were extended. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 8: REQUEST FOR AN AMENDMENT IN RATES FOR THE LOS ALTOS GARBAGE CO. Staff reported that a sizeable increase in rates had been requested due to increased operating costs and recommended that a committee of two Councilmen and the City Manager meet with representatives of the Los Altos Garbage Co. to discuss the proposal and arrive at a recommendation for Council action. Council concurred and Mayor Benson and Councilman Davey were selected, along with Mr. Fritschle, City Manager, to meet with the Los Altos Garbage Co. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 9• REPORT ON ADDITIONAL TREE PLANTING ON INTERSTATE #280. Staff advised that the Division of Highways has awarded a $5,000 contract for additional planting along the Freeway in and south of the Town, which will provide 301 new plantings to further muffle the traffic noise. He noted their willingness to work with citizen groups wishing to supplement this planting. Speaking from the Floor, Mrs. Diane Miller,13076 Vista del Valle Court, noted that the Landscape Committee had not met since Mr. Wilfred George had asked to be relieved as Chairman. She expressed her disappointment that because of this, she was unable to propose to the committee that residents be urged to buy live Christmas trees and then donate them for freeway land- scaping. Mayor Benson thanked her for this worthwhile idea and proposed thought be given to such a plan for next year. The Mayor stated he would name a replacement to Mr. George. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 10: REPORT ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PURISSIMA HILLS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT [ AND THE TOWN. Staff noted that in response to the Council's request at the July 20, 1970 meeting, the City Attorney had made an in depth study on the acquisition of the Water District by the Town. The procedure could be initiated by a 5% -5- petition of the landowner -voters within the district or even by 5% of the Townts voters residing outside of the district. This petition would then go to the County Executive and on to the Local Agency Formation Commission. An alternative would be to have the County Board of Supervisors initiate by a resolution. Either way, the Board of Supervisors could eventually take one of three final actions on the proposal: 1. Disapprove or 2. Approve, subject to election by those in the district only or election by those in the district as well as the balance of the Town, or 3. Approve the proposal and order it effected, if both parties consent in advance. Council discussion ensued with Floor participation from Water Board Directors Robert R. Buss and M. R. Johnson. Discussion noted no apparent advantage could be gained from the acquisition. UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 11: REPORT ON COST TO UPGRADE THE TOWN PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM. Staff reported that the P. A. System could be upgraded for approximately $300.00. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Corbett moved, seconded by Helgesson and carried unanimously by roll call vote, that no more than $300.00 be allocated from the Contingency Fund for upgrading the public 40 address system. STAFF REPORTS: 1. City Attorney advised of Campbell cross -suit against the Town and noted that the Roscoe barn was no longer considered a nuisance, since it had been renovated and was now being used for horses, RESOLUTION NO. 607• City Attorney introduced and read in its entirety Resolution No. 607, a resolution of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills determining that the public interest requires the conveyance by said Town of certain real property described herein. This resolution provides an exchange for the transfer of land from R. F. Galli to the Town an equal area of land from the Tann to R. F. Galli. This provides adequate path space around the "little twister". MOTION, SECCjPED AND CARRIED: Councilman Davey moved, seconded by Grabowski and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that Resolution No. 607 be adopted as read. 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 SEVEN THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO DOLLARS and Fifty-two Cents ($7,832.52) be approved and the City Clerk authorized law to draw the appropriate warrants. so OTHER BUSINESS BY COUNCILMEN: 4 1. Staff advised in response to Councilman Grabowski's query that the 15 -mile zone signs for the twister were on order and that the noise measuring device was pending response from Mr. Towle,who suggested it may be available free of charge. 2. Councilman Helgesson reported that the Town's share for the solid waste study for Santa Clara Cities would be $47.00 and requested this amount be approved. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Grabowski and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that $47.00 be allocated fox the Solid Waste Study. 3. Councilman Corbett noted that Mr. Charles S. McCandless, 24965 La Loma Drive, would head up the recently established Open Space Committee and they would proceed to obtain a list of individuals wishing to donate land, money, or time. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor Benson adjourned the meeting at 11:25 P. M. TO: NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, December 21, 1970 at 7:45 P. M. at Town Hall. TJK/mam 12/7/70 -7- Respectfully submitted, TED J. LiJZEK City Clerk Town of Los Altos Hills