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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/06/1967CITY COUNCIL TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING February 6, 1967 The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills was called to order Monday, February 6, 1967 by Mayor Albert T. Henley at 7:45 P. M. at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmen Aiken, Davey, Fowle, Mayor Henley ABSENT: None PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE: Chairman Wilton F. Minckley APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 16, 1967• Correction: Page 4, Para 9 should read, 'Gordon E. Bowler was appointed . . . . to April 5, 19681. Page 7, Para 2, Line 2 should read 'Bureau of Land Management . . . . ACTION: Adopt Minutes of January 16, 1967 as corrected. MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Aiken; VOTE: Passed unanimously January 30, 1967. ACTION: Adopt Minutes of January 30, 1967 as submitted. MOTION: Davey; SECOND: Fowls; VOTE: Passed unanimously CORRESPONDENCE: 1. Los Altos Library Commission - Letter of January 11, 1967, from Mrs. R. E. Lynch, Chairman, requested payment of annual dues for the Town's representative, Mrs. Frederick Adams, to the California Library Association. ACTION: That dues be paid for Mrs. Frederick Adams to the California Library Asso- ciation as requested.. MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Davey; ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Davey, Fowle, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: N9ne 2. Jean, Frank J. - Letter of January 13, 1967 was relative to drainage problem in Snell lane Area and possible alternative solution. /i Mr. W. A. Perkins, resident on Snell lane, commented on the problem and Mr. Jean's Correspondence - Jean - Cont'd -1 letter, and requested the matter be tabled until an investigation can be made of the problem. He stated hisopinionthat the proposed culvert would not be of sufficient size to take care of the runoff, as observed during recent storms. He further commented that this area should be discussed in the proposed study of drainage problems in the Town, but the problems in the Snell Lane area should be remedied before next year. The matter was tabled for discussion later in the meeting. 3. Melvin L. Hawley - Letter of February 6, 1967, announced his resignation from the Planning Commission. The City Manager stated the letter was received after the cut-off time for the printed Agenda, and asked whether the Council would hear the letter. The Council agreed to consider the matter. ACTION: That, with regret and sincere thanks for his service to the Town, the Council accept the resignation of Melvin L. Hawley from the Planning Com- mission. MOTION: Fowls; SECOND: Aiken; Councilman Aiken commented on the very fine letter Mr. Hawley wrote relative to the Town's problems. Question was called. VOTE: Passed unanimously Mayor Henley, with the concurrence of the Council, requested the matter of a re- placement for the Planning Commission, be on the Agenda for the meeting of Febru- ary 20, 1967. SCHEDULED ITEMS: 1. Consideration and Possible Action on Council Vacancy. Mayor Henley commented on the existing vacar!cy on the Council, created by the re- signation of Gordon E. Bowler. He stated the vacancy would have to be filled within thirty days, by an appointment, or by an election. He further stated than an election would be expensive for the unexpired term, to April, 1968. The Mayor announced that the suit against Mr. Bowler has been dropped at the order of the Attorney General; that action has been brought against the Town by Mr. C. Cathcart, requesting Court Order to prevent. the Town from making an appoint- ment, and calling for an election. He pointed out that the Town has not been barred from making an appointment, at this time; the question will be decided February 7, 1967, and the question now before the Council is whether to make an appointment or call for an special election. l Councilman Davey commented that, "The Council is not under any restraining order to prevent action on our part, either by filling the Council vacancy or calling an election. This is quite clear. We are free to act in the interests of the Town. -2- Council Vacancy - Cont'd. In my opinion, these interests will best be served by calling a special election. By so doing, we will free the Town once and for all from the costly burden of litigation and the inevitable conflicts arising from such a course. To accomplish this end, I asked the Town Attorney to draft a resolution calling for a special election.,, Councilman Fowle expressed concurrence with Councilman Davey. Resolution No. 381, ordering, calling, providing for, and giving notice of a Special Municipal Election to be held on the llVi day of April, 1967, for the pur- purpose of filling an unexpired councilmanic term of Gordon E. Bowler, was pre- sented and read by the City Attornoy. ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 381 as read. MOTION: Davey; SECOND: .liken: ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Davey, Fowle, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: None Resolution No. 382, authorizing the City Clerk to contract with the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters for election services, was read by the City Attorney. ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 382 as read MOTION: Davey; SECOND: Fowle; ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Davey, Fowle, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: None 2. Status Report and Discussion of MAPS Committee. Letter of January 30, 1967, from Planning Consultant Nestor Barrett, reported the progress on the Central Drive Study Area. Councilman Davey reported that the Committee has met about five times to discuss problems of the area with residents; the Committee has mailed out a .Questionnaire to all residents in Moody, Altamont, Page Mill area, to be completed and returned to Mr. James Bell, Chairman of the MAPS Committee. The facts will be compiled and correlated in a report to be made to the Council within a month. The Mayor urged residents to promptly return the completed questionnaire to Mr. Bell as soon as possible so that the report may soon be submitted to the Council. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS: 1. Knight, Kenneth E. (V-2%6-6%) - Request for Reduction of Setback Requirement for a ( Residence Addition at 12 20 Viscaino Drive. Approval was recommended by the Planning Commission on January 23, 1967. -3- Knight - Cont'd. ACTION: / 1 That the request of Kenneth E. Knight (V-276-67), for reduction of setback requirement to twenty-four feet (241) for an addition to his residence, be approved as recommended by the Planning Commission. MOTION: Davey; SECOND: Aiken; VOTE: Passed unanimously 2. Nelson, Robert (V-277-67) - Request for Reduction in Setback Requirement for a Swimming Pool at 26005 Todd Lane. Approval was recommended by the Planning Commission on January 23, 1967. ACTION: That the request of Robert Nelson (V-277-67) for reduction in sideyard setback requirement to twenty-seven feet (27') be approved as recommended by the Planning Commission. MOTION: Fowls; SECOND: Davey; VOTE: Passed unanimously 3. Wheeler, Oliver P. - Letter of January 30, 1967 requested an Extension of Time to File Final Subdivision Map, Tract No. 4184 to March 7, 1968. ACTION: That the request of Oliver P. Wheeler be granted. MOTION: Aiken; SECOND: Fowls; VOTE: Passed unanimously 6. Proclamation - World Day of Prayer. Mayor Henley read a proclamation, proclaiming February 10, 1967 as 'THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER', stating bells would be rung at 10:00 A. M. -- a signal that everyone is invited to attend Church. SCHEDULED ITEMS: Cont'd. 3. Discussion and Possible Appointment of a Sewer Study Committee. Letter of January 31, 1967 from the Los.Altos Hills Association was read, in which request was made that the Council appoint a Citizens' Committee to study the need for sewers in the Town, alternatives to sewers, the position of the County Health Department, and the most economical means of sewering the Town, if needed. Councilman Aiken commended the Los Altos Hills Association for the interest shown in the Town's problems and commented that there may be an alternative to sewers for the entire Town. Mayor Henley stated that he has no objection to a 'fact-finding' committee and would be happy to appoint such a committee if there were no objections from the Council. Councilmen concurred with the Mayor, in that there is a meed to know the status of the Town relative to the need for sewers. -h- Sewer Study Committee - cont'd. _ Councilman Aiken stated that, as Chairman of the Council Committee No. 4, he 1 would be happy to work with a committee appointed by the Mayor. Mr. David Jonsson commented that the Health Department should be an advisor to the Committee. Mrs. R, W. Towle commented on the need for the study, stating that much information is available in the area, and that a committee such as has been proposed could do a real service to the Town, and may sell sewers to the Town. Mayor Henley stated he would appoint a committee to study sewer problems. 4. Sewer Assessment District No. 2. City Engineer, Charles S. McCandless, announced that a report will be made on the progress of the Sewer P,ssessment District No. 2 within a month. .UNSCHEDULED STEMS: Cont'd. 4. .Scenic Highway Designation - Consideration of Planning Commission Recommendation. Upon recommendation from Planning Commission, January 23, 1967, and Councilman Davey's suggestion that the Council designate the Junipero Serra Freeway Route 280 a 'Scenic Highway', the Mayor asked the City Attorney to present a resolution at the appropriate time. The City Manager explained the procedure to be followed. 5. Clement, R. D. - Request for Payment to the Town in Lieu of Road Improvement Required - Tract No. 4143• Letter of January 23, 1967 requested permission to pay monies to the Town to cover the cost of resurfacing a portion of Altamont Road frontage of the subdi- vision, Tract No. 4143 in lieu of actual construction. The City Engineer's estimate for the proposed resurfacing was stated as being TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED TEN DOLLARS (912310.00). Letter of February 2, 1967 from Mrs. A. Ginzton, Chairman of Path Committee, recommended construction of path along Altamont in accordance with the Planning Commission's recommendation. ACTION: That the request of R. D. Clement,for payment to the Town to cover cost of resurfacing Altamont Road, in the amount of TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED TEP! DOLLARS ($2310.00)1 in lieu of construction, be approved, and that all other improvements be completed in accordance with the Planning Commission's recommendation. MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Davey; VOTE: Pa,ied unanimously 7. Non -Expressway Projects - Santa Clara County Public Works Departm;,it Request for Approval of Detour Routes. Mr. Charles S. McCandless, City Engineer, explained the proposed routes, explain- ing that the work will be done in eight phases, each being completed before another is started; that the work is scheduled to be completed within about two months. -5- Non -Expressway Projects - cont'd. Mr. McCandless indicated that some work has been started --root work and cutting -� of trees. Question was raised as to whether the Planning Commission had approved the re- moval of trees. Mr. McCandless stated that this had been assumed. The Council requested the question be cleared. Mrs. R. Goldsmith called attention to the need for the contractor to know the locations of water lines in order to prevent interruption of service by broken lines. She suggested that the Robleda Water Associaion and the Purissima Hills County Water District be advised of the proposed projects. ACTION: That the proposed detour routes be approved, as submitted, subject to resolving the question of the removal of trees and location of water lines. MOTION: Davey; SECOND: Fowle; VOTE: Passed unanimously 8. City Treasurer's Report. Mr. Author S. Alter, City Treasurer, explained that the monthly report will be given at the second meeting of the month. He reported that funds have been placed in time deposit account at the rate of five percent (5%) interest, and that work has been started on the 1967-6$ budget. 9. Discussion of Property Purchases. The City Manager announced that the State of California. has surplus land in the vicinity of the Sunipero Freeway, some of which the Town may be interested in purchasing. Ile reported that the Path and Landscape Committees have recommended purchase of a 0.6 acre parcel near the Henry property and abutting the Freeway. He stated this parcel would be in keeping with the rural zoning of the Town and can be purchased for about ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00). ACTION: That the Town purchase the parcel (Director's Deed 13973 -DD) at a cost not exceed ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00). MOTION: Davey: SECOND: Aiken; ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Davey, Fowle, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: None The City Manager stated that another parcel, near the Los Altos Hills Little Leaps) Park and the Palo Alto School District property, is also available. He com- mented that this parcel would be of no value to the Town unless the school proper- ty is purchased. The State parcel is .354 acres and would cost about TWO THOUSAND EIGHT P.SiDRED DOLLARS ($2800.00). -6- Property Purchases - Cont'd. Councilman Davey indicated the Little League officials may be interested, and suggested they be made aware of the property being available for sale. The City Manager was asked to request the Highway Department to wait two weeks before disposing of the property in order to see if the Little League officials are interested. 10. City Manager's Report - January, 1967. The City Manager commented on several items of the report, previously mailed to Councilmen. Be discussed briefly Item #12, regardinga proposed increase in the g^..;dine tax for non -interstate highways and a memo from Senator Collier, Chrmn. of Senate Transportation Committee, relative to matching requirement under the Collier -Unruh Gas Tax Programs. I--1':ive to Memorandum of February 6, 1967, reporting on meeting with Mr. Donald K. Currlin, Manager -Counsel of the Santa Clara County Flood Control District, the Manager expressed the need for representation on the Flood Control Advisory Board. The Mayor requested the City Manager to agenda the proposed appointment for the February 20� meeting. The Mayor complimented the City Manager on the fine reports and inquired as to the possibility of the reports being made available to interested persons. The suggestion was made that the reports be posted on the Town's bulletin boards. The City Manager will report on the matter later. The Manager asked if he should have plaques made, honoring Mr. C. E. Dawson and Mr. Arthur Fowle for their gifts to the Town at the time of incorporation. Following comments of praise for Messrs. Fowle and Dawson, and Mr. Janssen's suggestion that Townspeople might like to contribut:tcward purchase of the plaques, the Mayor appointed Mr. Janssen Chairman of a Committee to take can- tribut.o:,s for subject plaques. The Manager made the following announcements: League of California Cities - Peninsula Division meeting to be held on February 16, 1967. Town of Los Gatos letter of January 26, 1967 advised of endorsement of Association of Bay Area Government's concept of Regional Home Rule. City of Palo Alto letter of January 27, 1967 advised that the City Council had approved, in principal, the proposal from the Goals and Organization Committee of the Association of Bay Area Government, and had recommended amendments. 11. Consideration of Amendment of Resolution No. 375 - Relating to Council Procedures. The City Manager explained that the amendment proposed is with regard to Council meetings being called within twenty-four hours instead of three days. -...� The Attorney was requested to prepare a resolution for the next meeting. -7- PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR: None. RESOLUTIONS: 1. Resolution No. 378 - Initiating Designation of Interstate Route 280 Within the Town of Los Altos Hills as a Scenic Route. The Resolution was read in its entirety by the City Attorney. ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 378 as read. MOTION: Davey; SECOND: Aiken; ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Davey, Fowle, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: None 2. Resolution No. 379 - Relating to a Storm Drainage Study. The Resolution was read in its entirety by the City Attorney. ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 379 as read. MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Davey; Mr. W. A. Perkins discussed the drainage problems in the Snell Lane area, stating hie concern for having a solution to the problem before next winter. He sug- gested the area of the Bullis School also be studied, and that a study of the problem area be made available as soon as possible so that a solution may be implemented. He further suggested that a group appointed by the Council should have one representative from the Council, the Planning Commission, and that problems be discussed with the City Engineer and City Manager. Mr. Perkins indicated 1!e would like to have a voice in the matter. He suggested the com- mittee study, along with drainage problems, the matter of financing, easements, and implementation of remedies. The Mayor annouced that Mr. Perkins would be Chairman of a committee he will appoint within the next few days. Councilman Davey stated that she had received a letter from Mayor Dias of Palo Alto and an excerpt from the Palo Alto City Council Minutes in which 'Foothills Drainage Basins' was discussed and an indication that the City of Palo Alto i;<. is interested in cooperating with the Town to help solve drainage problems in the Barron Creek basin. The Question was called. ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Davey, Fowle, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: None 8- 3G Resolution No. 380 - Relating to Proposed Amendment of Highway Beaatifioatioa i.ct 19`-35.0 The City Attorney presented and read the Resolution in its entirety. ! 1 ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 380 as read. MOTION: Fowls; SECOND: Davey; ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Davey, Fowle, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: None ORDINANCES: 1. Ordinance No. 118 - Adopting Amendments to the Budget for Fiscal Year 1966-67. Ordinance No. 118 was read by the City Attorney, said ordinance effecting the changes proposed by the City Manager in his report of January 16, 1967. ACTION: Adopt Ordinance No. 118 as read. MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Davey; ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Davey, Fowle, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: None WARRANTS: Bills, in the amount of SIXTY-EIGHT THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT DOLLARS AND Twenty -Five Cents (1668,928.25), were submitted by Councilman Fowle. He commented that $55,000 of this amount has been placed in time deposit account. ACTION: That the bills be approved; that the Clerk be authorized to draw the appro- priate warrants. MOTION: Fowls; SECOND: Aiken; ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Davey, Fowls, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: None OTHER BUSINESS: The Attorney reported on the Town's litigations, and stated he would appear on the Town's behalf February 7, 1967. He reported that convictions were gained for trucking violations on Magdalena Road. The Mayor commented on trucking viaations and litigation involving Ordinance No. 17 during the early stages of the Town. MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:48 P. M. to: NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, February 20, 1967 at 7:45 P. M. at the Town Hall. -R se p ct£u fitted, 2-6-67 A L M A, Cit erk. Town of Los Altos H' s -9-