HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/06/1965CITY COUNCIL
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
December 6, 1965
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills
was called to order by Mayor Albert T. Henley, Monday, December 6,
1965 at ?:50 P. M. at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos
Hills, California.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmen Aiken, Bowler, .Clayton, Fowle,
Mayor Henley -
ABSENT: None
PLANNING COMMISSION
REI'RESF.NTATIVE: Chairman Arthur S. Alter
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 15, 1965•
Addition: Page 2, Committee Reports, Item 1,
Landscape and Tree Committee, 2nd para., add
the following sentence, which is attributed
to Councilman Bowler: "However, it was pointed
out that the support of the population is
definitely needed to carry out the long range
program, since the Town was incorporated as a
minimal operation and Council should be
assured the Town will have the proper tax
support."
ACTION.
Adopt Minutes of November 15, 1965
as amended.
MOTION: Clayton; SECOND: Bowler
VOTE: Passed unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Revenue &,Taxation Committee - Re: Landscape and Planting.
As authorized by action taken at the November 15Lh Council meeting,.
Mayor Henley reported he has entered into a contractual agreement
at the budget level with Mr. Dan Rolfe, landscape architect of
Stanford University, and asked Mr. P. C. Burchard, Chairman of
the Landscape and Tree Committee for a report.
Chairman Burchard reported a memorial ceremony has been planned
for December 192 at 1:00 P. M. at the Town Hall to initiate the
Tree Planting Program, which will consist of a naturalistic
planting of six or seven redwood trees in the corner of the
grass plot of the Town Hall, which will form a backdrop for the
Town Hall in years to come. -
'COMMITTEE REPORTS: Revenue & Taxation Committee (Cont'd.):
�.. Chairman Burchard introduced Mr. tan Rolfs, landscape architect
with the Stanford Planning Center. Mr. Rolfs said hewas
especially pleased to contribute because the natural beauty of
the City offers a great deal of stimulus, as well as the people
he will be working with, and urged that every effort be made
to obtain the full cooperation of the community, even if the
involvement is just reading about it.
At the suggestion of Chairman Burchard, the Mayor announced
three additional members to the Tree Planting Committee, thereby.
enlarging the Committee and making it geographically completes
Mr. Neil Estrada, 12695 La Cresta Drive - 948-2911
Dr. John F. Flynn, 12161 Hilltop Drive - 948-1658
Mrs. Mary Paulsen, 2275 Page Mill Road, PA -322-9110
The Mayor then asked for a report from the Revenue and Taxation
Committee (Councilmen Fowle and Aiken).
Chairman Fowle made the following recommendations:
1. During the 1965-1966 fiscal year, the Revenue & Taxation
Committee recommends the expenditure of the ;3,000.00 which
has already been budgeted; to be spent under direction of
Tree Committee in consultation with landscape architect.
�) .'(Landscape architect fee of $200.00 already voted upon by
Council_ This will be part of the above expenditure.) '
Supplementary Tree Committee report states that a tree can
be purchased, planted, and watered for one month for $7.00.
Continuing watering can be contracted for @ $.50 per month.
JThus one tree with seven months maintenance (i.e., one year)
will cost $10.00. The present budget therefore allows for
280. trees plus consultation.
2. The Revenue and Taxation Committee does not recommend
the employment of a Town "Caretaker" this year but suggests
that this proposal be considered at next budget .time.
3. The Revenue and Taxation Committee recommends that the
Tree Committee be charged with the preparation of a
Beautification Plan and such other documents as may be
required to qualify for Federal funds under Beautification
Aids for Urban Areas.
ACTION:
That the foregoing Revenue and Taxation
Committee report be approved and adopted by
the Council.
MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Aiken
-2-
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Revenue & Taxation Committee (Cont'd.): _
The Mayor questioned whether the Revenue Committee had considered
the ceremony as part of their report since Chairman Burchard
said this would be considered "extra". The Revenue Committee
was not aware of this development., but felt if the plantings
fall within the recommended expenditure, its recommendations
give the Tree Committee the authority to program and expend funds.
Council was in accord with the opening ceremony, however,
Councilman Bowler stated he would be on vacation on that date.
The Question was called:
ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Bowler, Clayton, Fowle,
Mayor Henley
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Although. well aware of some controversy in spending extra monies
beyond the budget, Councilman Fowle felt further monies should be
expended on the tree planting program, in keeping with the
tradition of the Town. In support of this, Councilman Fowls
reported the $1,500.00 pledged for the Page Mill pedestrian
underpass is .now available because the State Highway Department
has rejected the idea. There is also approximately $30,000 in
accumulated surplus funds. He did not believe the additional
(. money. would shortchange any other program and would .provide an
extra year of growth for 200 additional trees.
Councilman Aiken stated if there is such asurplus, the Town
should either lower taxes or apply the money where it is badly
needed, such as, additional police protection or roads.
ACTION:
That an additional 132,000.00 be added to the Tree
Planting Program for the 1965-1966 fiscal year.
MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Bowler
Discussion of the Motion revealed there was no doubt that. all
Councilman were in favor of the tree planting program, however,
Councilman Bowler and Clayton were of the opinion it should be
fully considered whether the additionalmoneyfor tree planting
is the most urgent need, in light of pending committee reports
involving expenditure of funds (i.e., additional police protec-
tion). Councilman Clayton believed it would be in the best
interests of health and welfare of the community to wait until
these reports are submitted totheCouncil. Councilman Aiken
opposed the expenditure of the additional $2,000.00, remaining
steadfast to his position that the Town should ,proceed within
wi the limits of the budget since he believed only limited planting
is required.
-3-
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Revenue & Taxation Committee (Cont'd.):
Mr. R. Towle said there was a strong reaction from the Los Altos
Hills Association that, in the event additional funds became
available, it would recommend this money be used for pathways
for school children and urged the Pathways Committee to report
on all incomplete paths.
Councilman Fowle reported there is $23,000 in the path fund
and $17,000 is programmed to be spent on paths this year.
Since there was no further discussion, the Question was called:
ROLL CALL: AYES: Bowler, Fowle, Mayor Henley
NOES:- Aiken, Clayton
ABSENT:. None
STAFF REPORTS:
1. City Attorney - Re: Parade Control.
City Attorney reported there has been no legislationand very
little litigation in this field. 'As a next best source, he
reviewed 30 ordinances from various cities in California on
this subject and reached the tentative conclusion that the
bulk of the ordinances will be held invalid when tested.
C). However, the City .Attorney did' submit, and summarized from, an
ordinance from the City of Modesto, which is acceptable to the
League of California Cities and is likely to be upheld. If the
Council wishes to go into this field, the City Attorney was of
the opinion this general scheme is acceptable, with the City
-Manager being appointed administrator, and providing for appeal
to the Council.Discussion followed as to the possibility of recovering charges
for extra police protection, insurance coverage for such a risk,
and possible restraints. Since the ordinance from the City of
Modesto is the type of ordinance the League is submitting for
review, Councilman Clayton proposed:
ACTION:
That the City Attorney be instructed to prepare
an ordinance regarding parade control as submitted
and discussed.
MOTION: Clayton; SECOND: Fowle; VOTE: .,Passed unanimously.
-4-
OLD BUSINESS:
�) 1. Street Lighting.
At the request of the Council (Minutes of Nov. 1st), Mr. R. Towle,
President of Los Altos Hills Association, submitted a letter
dated December 3rd reporting in detail the research accomplished
as to the question of street lighting within the City. The
survey, while short and not exceedingly detailed, did show,
however,a unanimity of opinion that street lights did not bring
measurable benefit to the Town and it was the conclusion of
the Association that street lights should be removed in total.
ACTION:
That the Council do not continue the Los Altos
Highway Lighting District beyond the present
term of this year.
MOTION:... Fowle; SECOND: Bowler
Mr. Charles Spitzer, o£25311 Fremont Road, submitted a petition
containing four signatures of residents in this lighting area,
requesting the Council to let the lights remain. Mr. L. Robinson,
25285 Fremont Road, a petitioner, was presentand also commented
in favor of the lights.
Discussion showed that the Council was not in favor -of lights
throughout the Town, however, there was some difference of.
opinion as to. whetherthe lights in question ,could justifiably
remain in one section of Town as a safety device (rather than
illumination), when there are other similar dangerous sections
of Town without. lights.
Councilman Aiken suggested the voting be deferred until the
Law Enforcement Committee could consider this matter in the
light .of the overall view they are taking on crime prevention,'
traffic matters, safety, etc.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION
That the matter be turned over to the Town's
Law Enforcement Committee for their report and
consideration of the problem.
SUBSTITUTED BY: Clayton; SECOND: Aiken
The Question was called on the Substitute Motion:
VOTE: Passed unanimously.
The Chair stated the prior Motion will not be voted upon.
-5-
Street Lighting (Cont'd.):
Councilman Aiken offered the following Motion, since it was
appropriate to the above discussion on street lighting and as
he was very much against encroachment of the Town's rural
atmosphere by high intensity mercury lights:
ACTION:
That the City Council request the Highway
Department to shield the high intensity vapor
lamps along the Junipero Serra Freeway, so they
can only be seen on the roadway for which they
are intended.
MOTION: Aiken; SECOND:- Clayton
Mr. R. Towle said he had spoken with Mr. K. Bonney, of Pacific
Gas & Electric Company, who advised him that there is extensive
shielding available.
In line with this discussion, Councilman Aiken commented on
the imposition to residents who bear the full glare of the lights
.and the blare of the loudspeakers during athletic events at
Foothill College.
The Question was called: VOTE: Passed unanimously.
At the suggestion of the Council, the Mayor will contact the
.authorities at Foothill College as to whether anything can be
done-aboutthe lights and .loud speakers.
2. Discussion of Letter from Purissima Hills Count Water District.
In accordance with instructions from theCity Council (Minutes
of November 15s), the City Attorney submitted a draft of an.
ordinance waiving certain provisions of Ordinance No. 52
(/%4,5,6,'], and 8 - application for permits and payment of fees,
posting of bonds, etc.) and providing .for the Town to do the
District's repaving at actual cost to the Town by its own
contractors.'
City Attorney .presented and read in its entirety, Ordinance
No. 110, an Ordinance of the Town of Los Altos Hills amending
Ordinance No. 52 of said Town by adding provisions exempting
.County Water Districts from certain of the requirements of
said Ordinance No. 52.
.Exception was taken to the ordinance in that more than one
day's notice should be served to the Town, except. for, emergency
repairs.;. however, Mr. M. R. Johnson and Wm. D. McCann, of the
�'.. Purissima Hills Water County District, stated any longer notice
`•!
would not be in. the interests of good public relations since it
OLDBUSINESS: Water District (Cont'd.):
C� is sometimes possible to install meters the same dny they are
applied for, and in 8 out of 10 cases, the pavement is not cut.
Council agreed that in order to serve,the public efficiently.
the ordinance shoulC. be amenderl to read "reasonable notice, but -
not less than one working 8.ay" with such reasonable notice to
be worker; out administratively.
The City I.ttorney will draft a contract for the December. 20«
meeting in regard to the paving being done by the Town..
Mr. Johnson referred to the last paragraph of his letter of
November 15t-^ regarding the procedure to insure full cooperation
between the Town and District ana. requested Council approval-.
There were no objections from the Council and the mayor stated
no official action was required.
ACTION:
That Ordinance No. 110 be amended as read.
MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Clayton; VOTE: Passe', unanimously.
First Reading.
O
VARLINCES:
1_ Thompson, Russell C. (V-240-65) - Reduction of Setback
..Requirements, Lot ;9b, Tract 42904, Leander Drive. -
,iCTION:
That the request of Russell C. Thompson (V-240-65)
be approved as submitted, in accordance with the
.recommendations of the Planning Commission.
MOTION: Clayton; SECOND: Fowle; VOTE: Fassed unanimously,
BUILDING SITE AFFROVr1L:
1. Stoddard, [d. B. (BSA -24-65) - Engr. H. Mulberg.
ACTION:
.That the request. of B. Stoddard (BG.^ -24-65)
for building site approval be approved, subject
to the Check List and recommendations of the
Planning Commission. -
MOTION: Clayton; SE UD: Bowler; VOTE: Passed. unanimously.
-7-
DIVISIONS OF L,JU : Tentative Maps.
1. Sunny Hills Estates (312-65) - Target Engineering.
City Manager readletters Of approving agencies. Councilman
Fowle questioned whether this subdivision would impose any
drainage problem downstream, however, the City Engineer, as
as well as Target Engineering, assured the Council there would
be no problems.
'CTIOi :
That the Tentative Map of Sunny Hills Estates
(312-65)'be approved,. subject to the recommenda-
tions and Check List of thePlanning Commission.
MOTION: Clayton; SECOND: Bowler
Check List was read and Councilman Liken noted the in lieu
path payment. Councilman ." .iken said he preferred to see paths
constructed by the developer as a matter of economics and
since it was the proper side of the Street for a path,
Councilman Clayton amended his Motion:
AMENDED MOTION:
That the Check List include the construction of
a pathway by the developer.
C !,MENDED BY: Clayton; 6CCEFTF,D BY: Bowler;
VOTE ON MOTION i;ND �IMNDFENT: Passed. unanimously.
DIVISIONS OF LT'D: Final Maps.
1. Hillcrest Estates, Unit No. 2, Tract ,#/4020. Engr. ldm.. J.
Hammond & ,associates.
The developer, Mr. H. Seward, desires to discontinue the sub-
- division of five lots and has submitted final maps for a land
division of two -lots. Grading requirements still remain
regarding Westridge Court as access.
LCTION:
That the Final Map of Tract No. 4020, Hillcrest
Estates, Unit No. 2, be approved.
NOTION: Clayton; SECOND: Bowler; VOTE: Passed unanimously.
2. Parker, R. G. (311-65) - Engrs. Riley & Floyd.
When Lot 412 is presented for building site approval, paths
will be required.
°_CTI ON :
That the Final Map of Tract He. 4114 be approved.
MOTION: Clayton; SECOND: Aiken; VOTE: Tossed unanimously.
-8-
RESOLUTIONS:
1. 1.pproving Improvements in Tract #N12 - S. Petersen.
The City Manager presented and read in its entirety,
Resolution No. 328, a Resolution of the City Council of the
Town of Los Iatos Hills, approving improvements in Tract #3619.
ACTION:
.dopt Resolution No. 328 as read.
MOTION: Bowler; SECOND: Clayton
ROLL C' -LL: `YES: '.iken, Bowler, Clayton, Fowls,
Mayor Henley
LACES: None
;;BSE'TT: None
COP.. i7"RJNI C_TII CNS :
1. -Mr. Nestor Barrett, Town Planning Consultant, letter dated -
NOvorlber-22, 1965 and read in its entirety by City Manager.
Mr. Barrett listed the advantages to having such a Parks and.
Recreation element and is prepared to prepare such an element
for a fee of '16400.00, which would be completed sixty days from
the time the contract is si,ened. This fee would include one
(�) fleeting with the Planning Commission and one meeting with the
City Council at the time public hearings are held on the plan,
and one additional meeting if it is desired for a study session
rrior to the bearings at a joint meeting of the Council and
Planning Commission.
ACTION:
That the City Council a=ccept Mr. Nestor Barrett's
proposal and authorize the expenditure of the
fees stated in his letter of November 22, 1965.
11OTI OTT: Bowler; SECOITD: Clayton
Mrs. L. Ginzton, 28014 Natom.a Road., suggested, that in aBdi-
tior_ to the Planning commission and Council meetings with
Mr. Barrett, that it might be desirable for the combined.
Pathways and. Tree planting Committees to also meet with
-r. Barrett. Council instructed. the City Manager to make this
suggestion to hr. Barrett.
The question was called:
ROLL C'TL: AYES: Aiken,_Bowler, Clayton, Fowle,
Mayor Henley
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
-9-
COMM[7NICATIONS (Cont 'd.): '
2. .County of Santa Clara, Tra£ficwa s Committee, letter was
-.brought to the attention o£ the Uounci.l by the City Manager
that Phase II proposes Page f=ill Road be a_ four lane highway.
The Council was unanimous that Page Mill Road remain a two-
lane scenic road as requested in its Resolution No. 278.
OTHER BUSINESS:
1. Mr. C. Spitzer, 25311 Fremont Road, urged the Council to paint
yellow diagonallines along the curbing, separating the black
asphalt road from the new paths in this.area, since this
created a most serious hazard.
City Manager reportedthere is a curing period before this
marking can be done; admittedly, however, clue to the inclement
weather, the maintenance crews Neve been delayed because of
emergency road repairs.
b'ARRP.NTS :
1. Bills, in the amount of FIVE THOUS�,ND, THREE HUNDRED NINETY-
SEVEN and Eighty-five Cents (15.,397.85), were presented for
payment by Councilman Fowle.
ACTION:
That the bills, as presented, be approved and the
City Clerk be authorized to draw the appropriate
warrants.
MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Bowler;
ROLL C^LL:-:AYES: ,iken, Bowler, Clayton, Fowle,
Mayor Henley
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ADJOURNMENT: MOTION: Clayton; SECOND: Fowle
P'IEETI."T.G _".DJOURNED: 9:50 r. M.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, December 20, 1965 at 7:45 r. fI.
at the Town IIall.
Respectfully submitted,
i
PAUL W. S,L.LFEN
City Clerk
- Town of Los "Iltos Hills
-10-