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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/20/19671 CITY COUNCIL TOUN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING February 20, 1967 The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills was called to order by Mayor :Elbert T. Henley Monday, February 20, 1967 at 7:45 P. M. at the Toon Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmen Aiken, Davey, Fowle, Mayor Henley ABSENT: None PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE: Commissioner Gertrude Sherlock APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 6, 1967. Corrections: Page 3, 3rd and 5" para. Resolutions No. 381 and 382 were read by 'Councilman Davey'. ACTION: Adopt Minutes of February 6, 1967 as corrected. MOTIUN: Aiken; SECOND: Fowls; VOTE: Passed unanimously CORRESPOHDENCE: 1. Triton Museum of Art - Letter of February 3, 1967 requested endorsement, by the Town, by participation as a benefactor member 01,000.00). ACTION: That this request be tabled. MOTION: Fowls; SECOND: Aiken; VOTE: Passed unanimously 2. Lea«ue of California Cities - Letter of February 8, 1967 announced meeting to be held February 23, 19 7 at Plateau 7, 777 North First Street, San Jose at 7:30 P.M. Any one interested in attending should contact the City Manager. ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Mayor announced he has scheduled a Study Session for the Council and Staff for Tuesday, February 28, 1967 at 7:00 P. M. at the Toon Mall to review the proposed Budget and Accounting procedures. The Mayor announced he was making an non -controversial proclamation, proclaiming Saturday, March 18, 1967 as 'Good Turn Day 1967'• SCHEDULEDITEMS: 1. Planning Commission Vacancy - Consideration of Appointment. The Mayor declared nominations were in order. NOMINATION: Arthur A. Lachenbruch; BY: Aiken; ACTION: That Nominations be closed. MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Aiken; The Mayor announced a 'Uhite Ballot' would be cast for Mr. Lachenbruch. Mayor Henley commented, referring to the meeting of 'February 16, 1967 at which the Council considered filling an existing vacancy on the Planning Commission, and Mr. Lachenbruch was nominated to fill the need for representation in a cer- tain area. He stated that he did not approve of making appointments on this basis; that the only reason he voted for Mr. Lachenbruch was because he thought Mr. Lachenbruch has certain expertise he can bring to the Manning Commission, and this is the basis on which he voted; that, in his opinion, there should be no appointments made of persons to represent any area. Mr. Lachenbruch replied to the Mayor's remarks --that he did not feel he could speak as an expert on the area, but could and will speak only as a layman on the Commission; that he does not believe in representatives of any area or section being appointed, but only of the Town itself: Mayor Henley thanked Mr. Lachenbruch for clarification of his position. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS: 1. 01ageUnderground Construction - Request for Extension of Time to Complete Hilltop Drive Project. Letter of February G, 1967 requested an extension of time, due to inclement weather, to complete the project. The City Engineer's letter of February 20, 1967 recommended approval of an ex- tension of time, to March 6, 1967, subject to approval of the bonding company. ACTION: That the request of 0lage Underground Construction be granted, subject to the conditions outlined by the City Engineer and approval of the bond- ing company. MOTION: Fowle; SECOAiD: Aiken; VOTE: Passed unanimously -2- -`r, UNSCHEDULED ITEMS: Cont'd. 2. Amendment of 2107 Gas Tax EngineerinR Budget 1966-67. The City Manager read letter from the City Engineer, February 8, 1967, recommend- ing proposed increase in the 2107 Gas Tax Allotnent (1966 -67) -to the Town for street maintenance which has come as a result of the substantial increase in recorded population of the Town (1966 Special Countywide Census). The proposed increase in the Budget, as reflected is $5082.00 The City Manager was requested to present the resolution at the appropriate time. SCHEDULED ITEMS: 2. Election Report. The City Manager announced that two candidates have filed for the Council vacancy to be decided by Special Municipal Election on April 11, 1967, namely, Walter A. Benson and Barbara B. Eastman. He reported, relative to expense of printing Candidates Statement of Qualifications, that the Staff has collected $25.00 deposit from each candidate, with the condi- tion that if cost is more or less, candidate will be billed for additional amount, or excess amount will be refunded, as was done in previous elections. He request- ed direction from the Council as to whether to extract this expense from the Candidate or whether the expense will be absorbed by the Town as Election costs. ACTION: That the Council approve the administrative decision that this be the candidates' expense. hIOTION: Davey; SECOND: Fowls; VOTE: Passed unanimously RESOLUTIONS: 1. Resolution No. 383 - Amending Resolution No. 3375, Relating to Council Procedures. The City Manager read Resolution, in its entirety, and explained said resolution would amend Resolution No. 375, adopted on January 3, 1967 which established cer- tain Council procedures, particularly Section 1, relative to time element as to when items may be placed on the Agenda for a Regular Meeting and establishing twenty-four (24) hour advance notice for a Special Meeting. ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 383 as read. MOTION: Davey; SECOND: Fowle; 1 Councilman Aiken stated his opbjection to voting on the resolution, at this time, and requested time to give it further consideration. He commented he could not £orsee any emergency arising which the Staff could not handle, and would make it necessary to call a 24-hour Special Meeting of the Council. -3- Resolution No. 383 - Cont'd. Councilman Davey pointed out the instance when such a meeting was necessary -- i1 truck violations on Magdalena Road last spring, stating that fast action, by the Council, was necessary. Councilman Aiken questioned whether the law is permissive or restrictive relative to ruling on posting of notices and signing of waivers of notices, and requested an opinion from the City Attorney. Motion and Second were withdrawn by Councilmen Davey and Fowle, and the City Attorney was directed to report at the next meeting. SCHEDULED ITemS: Cont'd. 3. Citizens' Drainage Committee Report. Mr. W. A. Perkins, Chairman of the Committee, reported the Committee met on February 13, 1967, with Councilman Aiken and Mr. M. B. Bennedsen, Engineer from Charles S. McCandless office; that the report, at this time, is preliminary. Mr. Perkins stated the area to be studied is the Bullis School area and the valley running northwesterly on Altadena Drive to Old Trace Road. He stated the Com- mittee had outlined the major problems and set time table to complete the study so that it will be possible to complete the project before the rains start -- November 15, 1967. Mr. Perkins expressed the desire to work with Mr. Morse as a liason member in order that definitive action may be taken. Fie also stated he would like to have a Planning Commission to meet with the Committee. The Mayor stated Chairman Minckley, of the Planning Commission, would make an appointment. Citizens' Drainage Committee members are: W. A. Perkins, Chairman, Joseph Moose, Harmon Brown, Dean Clark, and Stanford Case. AMJOUNCEMENT• The Mayor announced there will be a meeting of the Sewer Study Committee on Tuesday, February 28, 1966 as 7:00 P. M. at the Town Hall. The public is invited to attend. SCHEDULED ITEMS: Cont'd. 4. A' pointment of Re resentative to Northwest Area .Advisory Committee - Santa Clara oun y oo Control District. The City Manager stated this item is on the agenda as a result of his meeting with Mr. Donald K. Currlin, Manager -Counsel of the Santa Clara County Flood Control District --that the request is for the right to be represented. Councilman Davey expressed the opinion it might be wise to have a non -council member to participate --perhaps someone from the Drainage Study Committee. ACTION: \_) That the Council request the availability of the appointed representative and leave the filling of the position until later. MOTION: Davey; SECOND: Aiken; VOTE: Passed unanimously 4 SCHEDULED ITEMS: Cont'd. 3. Treasurer's Report. Arthur S. Alter, Treasurer, commented briefly on the selection of an auditor. and whether selection should be made by the Manager or the Council. The Council concurred that the Staff and the Finance Committee should make re- commendation to the Council, with substantiating arguments for selection made. Mr. Alter stated the City Manager has been working on a budget format. Ile re- commended approval of the format which will be submitted at the meeting of February 28'':x. He announced that he would be absent from the meeting. Mr. Alter reported that he and Mr. Morse have been reviewing the Town's account- ing system and have discussed the need for an accounting machine; feel the Town should purchase a machine. He urged the Council to consider approval of this purchase. He explained the work would be done by the Staff, but recommended that Mr. Wickman, Accountant, be retained for a year or so as a consultant. 4. City Manager's Report. Memorandum of February 20, 1967, regarding the Brown Act, was read by the City Manager. The memorandum outlined proposed amendments introduced in the Senate (SB -133) and in the Assembly (AB -245) relative to law requiring meetings of local legislative bodies to be open and public. Following brief discussion, the Mayor requested this matter be placed on the Agenda for the next meeting. The City Manager stated he would like to have a joint meeting of neighboring cities relative to scenic highways. 5. Property Purchase. Councilman Davey reported she had conferred with Mr. Charles Wright, Past Presi- dent of the Hills' Little League, relative to purchase of a parcel of land abut- ting the Palo Alto School District site, the Junipers Serra Freeway and the Little League Park. Mr. Wright advised her that the property would be of no value to either the Little League or the Town unless the school property is purchased. At this the Little League has the use of the school property. Mr. Morse, City Manager, stated that Mr. K. Freeman, President of the Little League, will view the site with Mr. Wright and will advise him of their decision. Mayor Henley suggested that the State be asked to postpone sale of the parcel until after Mr. Freeman has apprized Mr. Morse of the Little League's decision. 6. Circulation of City Manager's Reports. Mr. Morse reported the cost to be prohibitive -4 0 for the Staff to publish and mail the reports. Councilman Davey suggested that volunteers be solicited to do the mailing, with the Tom furnishing mimeographing, stationery, and postage. She suggested it could be done on a quarterly basis, using a bulk mailing permit. The Manager was asked to look into the matter and submit alterate costs. -5._ City Manager's Report cont'd. ( 1 The City Manager announced that a Staff Meeting was held Monday, February 20''^ at Noon at the Town Hall, with the Attorney, Engineer, Building Inspector and City Manager. Meetings will held weekly. The City Manager announced that, under the Santa Clara County Welfare Training Program, the Town has the services of a Secretary; that he is looking into using men for path and clean-up work under this program. RESOLUTIONS: 1. Resolution No. 384 - Amending 2107 Gas Tax Fund Expenditure 1966-67. Resolution, adopting and submitting a budget for expenditures of funds allocated from the State Highway Fund to Cities, was read by the City Manager. The Manager stated that the ,amount was increased by X5082.00. ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 384 as read. MOTION: Aiken; SECOND: Fowls; ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Davey, Fowls, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: None 2. Resolution No. 385 - Adopting and Submitting a Budget for Expenditure of blinds Allocated From the State Highway Fund to Cities (1967-68). Resolution No. 385 was read by the City Manager. ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 385 as read. MOTION: Fowls; SECOND: Aiken; ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Davey, Fowle, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: None PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR: 1. In answer to inquiry relative to the Byrne property, the Mayor announced Dr. Byrne has deeded his land to the Natures' Conservancy, a non-profit organization which receives gifts and properties. They preserve species of wildlife which is threaten- ed with extinction. 2. Mr. M. R. Johnson questioned the right of the developer of Rose Hill Estates to sell lots before sewers and water is available. He commented on letter to the Real Estate Commissioner, from Mr. Adm. McCann, Manager of the Purissima Hills County Water District. He solicited the aid of the Town to prevent occupancy of homes until water and sanitary sewers are available. It was the opinion that this is taken care of by the Building Inspector. -6- WARRANTS: Bills, in the amount of SEVEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE DOLLARS ,lND Sixty -Six CentO (87,5$3.66), for payment, Were submitted by Councilman Fowle. ACTION: That the bills, as presented, be approved; that the Clerk be authorized to draw the appropriate warrants. MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Davey; ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Davey, Fowle, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: None OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Councilman Davey announced she would attend the meeting of Association of Lay Area Governments on Friday, February 24, 1967- 2. Mayor Henley announced there would be an open Path Committee meeting held on Thursday, February 23, 1967 at the Town Hall to discuss proposed recommendations by the Path Committee. Everyone is invited to attend, suggesting that the Council members attend. 3. Councilman Aiken commented relative to clarification of the Council's policy to sewer the Town. He stated, "While we may not have formalized such a policy with a resolution, we have on several occasions definitely led subdividers and others to believe that this was the case. In the Minutes of October 25, 1966, the Council passed Resolution 365 requesting the County Health Officer to recommend proceedings necessary for the Council to impose a sewer district on a part of the Town. In answer to a question from the Floor if this was a start toward sewers in all the Town, a member of the Council said, ' . . this will indicate the present conviction of this Council to provide sanitary sewers to developed areas within the City limits, be it now or fifteen years to come to pass . . . . I submit that this is a clear statement of a policy to sewer the Town. We may take credit for agreeing to the Los Altos Hills Association's request for a study of sewers, but should not leave ourselves open to a charge of misleading anyone." Councilman Fowle spoke to the statement --that the Town would make sewers available to the citizens where needed. The Mayor commented that if there are alternatives to sewers, for the Town, the Council should find out what they are; that at the time the report of the Sewer Study Committee is submitted, or prior to that time, it might advisable to formulate a statement of policy. He requested Councilman Aiken to draft the statement. The Council agreed .there is a question of public health, but that the real problem is how to arrive at a solution to the problem. Councilman Davey questioned whether a policy could be made for the entire Town, for sewers, due to the differences of lots and areas in the Town. -7- OTHER BUSINESS: Cont'd. (-1 4. Councilman Fowle reported that he and Chairman Minckley of the Planning Commission had attended the first meeting, an organizational meeting, of the Regional Plan- ning Advisory Commission of the Inter -City Council which was attended by repre- sentatives of Santa Clara County Exdcutive Committee, Cities of Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View. A series of goals were adopted to work toward and schedule of meetings was set. Councilman Fowls was of the opinion this Commission would improve relationship with adjacent cities with regard to Planning, and he stated he was very optomistic as to what the group will accomplish. MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:50 P. M. to: NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, March 6, 1967 at 7:45 P. M. at the Town Hall. 2-20-67 .esp ctf subm� City Clerk Town of Los otos IIi11s -8-