Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/04/19674 CITY COUNCIL TWIN OF LAS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING December 4, 1967 REEL 3, SIDE 1, TRACK 1 - FOOTAGE O - 998 Deputy Mayor Mary C. Davey called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:50 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, Benson, Fowle and Deputy Mayor Davey. Absent: Mayor Henley. The Planning Commission was represented by Commissioner Don T. Hibner. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 20, 1967. REEL 3 SIDE 1 MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Benson moved, seconded by -TRACK 1 Councilman Aiken, and carried unanimously by voice vote, that the 04 Minutes of November 20, 1967 be approved as submitted. Regarding the sewer figures referred to in the Minutes of November 20, 1967, Page 10, Councilman Aiken stated he had rechecked his figures (particularly the $515 in question) and that he was in error since this figure was included in the Metcalf & Eddy Report. COMMUNICATIONS• REEL 3 SIDE 1 The City Manager read the following communications: TRACK 1 1) Letter dated November 22, 1967 from Miriam B. Wolff,.y5623 Elena 09 Road, regarding the investigation before the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California on the question of the propriety of the charge by the Southern Pacific at parking lots and its impact on commuters from Los Altos Hills. Deputy Mayor Davey directed that Mrs. Wolff's communication be referred to the City Attorney for his advice and recommendations.. 2) Letter dated November 28, 1967 from Mr. Berit C. Kjos, 14710 20 Manuella Road, commending the Council for the City's participation on the newly formed regional Human Relations Committee in Palo Alto. 3) Letter dated November 27, 1967 from James T. McKnight, PresidaDt 27 Los Altos Trail Club, expressing the Club's appreciation for the Town's cooperation in caking the connecting Elena and Black Mountain Road trail available to the citizens of Los Altos Hills. 4) Letter dated December 4, 1967 from Preston Burchard relating to the 29 mailing of the Metcalf & Eddy conclusions to all citizens, and suggest- iE) ing that it would be appropriate to also nail out the report of the Sewer Committee, as well as the cost analysis prepared by Councilman Aiken. COtM7UNICATIONS Cont'dt Mr. P. Burchard MOTION AND SECOND: Councilman Benson moved, seconded by Councilman Aiken, that another mailing be made to the Town citizens of the Final Sewer Committee report and that the cost figures as submitted by Councilman Aiken on November 6th also be included, less the $515 figure. There was Council discussion on whether or not to include the majority and minority sewer reports submitted prior to the Final Report of the Sewer Committee. VOTE: The Motion to nail Final Sewer Report and cost figures failed on the following tie voice vote: Ayes: Councilmen Aiken, Benson; Noes: Councilman Fowle and Nputy Mayor Davey. Absent: Mayor Henley. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Fowle moved, seconded by Councilman Aiken, and carried unanimously, that there be another mailing to all Town citizens of copies of the Final Report of the Los Altos Hills Citizens Committee Studying Sewers, as well as the Majority and two Minority Reports of the Sewer Committee (to be clearly labelled as to date of submittal to the Council) and Councilman Aiken's economic supplement, submitted November 6, 1967, but deleting the $515 figure. 5) Letter dated November 20, 1967 from Frank Rand, Jr., urging the 110 Council to go forward with Sewer Assessment District No. 2. 6) Letter dated November 21, 1967 from John H. Winneberger, Ph.D., of 111 Winneberger & Associates, Consulting, Septic -Tank Systems, 1813 San Lorenzo Avenue, Berkeley, commenting on the Metcalf & Eddy Report and the proposed Tom Standards for Private Sewerage Disposal. 7) Letter dated November 28, 1967 from the Board of Supervisors, 118 County of Santa Clara, regarding relinquishment of portions of E1 Monte Avenue to the Town of Los Altos Hills and Notice to resume con- trol and maintenance. At the request of the City Manager, and with Council authorization, Deputy Mayor Davey directed the City Manager to write the Director of Public Works requesting that prior to acceptance of this portion of E1 Monte Avenue that the County install one more set of lights for the traffic to exit properly from St. Nicholas School. 8) Letter dated November 29, 1967 from Los Altos School District 133 indicating that they are once again prepared to initiate a program at Purissina School if the Town participates financially in the costs, which are estimated at $500.00 for the balance of the school year. Deputy Mayor Davey instructed the City Manager to agenda this item for the December 18th meeting to provide the opportunity for interested parents and citizens to attend and express their opinions since this matter would involve a substantial amount of money. -2- COMMUNICATIONS Cont1d.: ?) Letter dated December 1, 1967 from Mathew. G.. Boissevain, 27181 150 Sherlock Road, suggesting the whole sewer business be dropped or form sewer districts only where they are wanted by the majority of residents.. 10) City Manager announced the receipt of Notices of Intention to 159 Circulate a Recall Petition to Councilmen Mary C. Davey and John M. Fowle and Mayor Albert T. Henley. Notices were received on December 4, 1967 at 10;45 A. M. and are on file at the Town Hall.. - AAINOUNCEMENTS: 1) Deputy Mayor Davey announced a meeting of the Freeway Noise Abate- 160 ment Committee to be held on Thursday, December 7,. 1967 at 8.:00 P. M. at the Town Hall,to which all Councilmen. and Commissioners and the public are invited to attend. 2) City Manager announced the 1968 Annual Meeting of the General .1646 Assembly of the Association of Bay Area Governments, to be held on Friday; February 23, 1968 at the Hotel Claremont, Berkeley. 3) City Manager announced that ABAG's Regional Planning .Committee. .166 will hold a public hearing at 7:30 P. M. on Wednesday, December 6,. 1967 at the San Jose City Hall. This meeting will provide an opportunity for all who wish to be heard on the subject of the Associations Preliminary Regional Plan Report. 4) Councilman Fowle made an announcement on the proceedings of the 170 Staff, which have been conducted on Sewer Assessment District No.. 2 (Altamont Basin). Councilmen Fowle read a prepared statement., on file. at the Ton Hall, calling fox a compromise solution by the abandonment of the assessment district proceedings and having the :Town install the necessary trunk line, the costs to be recovered through connection fees,, Council discussion followed. Mrs„ P. Weisbart, 27,709 Via Cerro Gordo, questioned why discussion was on District 140. 2 and not cn District No. 3. The following statement prepared by Councilman Aiken, at his request and without objection from the Council, is inserted at this point: "This change is very sudden and a surprise. It may have merit, but at first glance it. seems a way of getting others than those complaining to pay the costs, it may establish precedent of the TOvrn installing trunk lines throughout the Tow:,. This is a sudden and complete change in our -,policy..:^ With the unanimous approval cf the Council, Deputy Diayor Davey instructed the City Manager to develop the facts and figures as presented by Councilman Fowle and report at the -December 18th Council meeting. ACTION. REEL 3 i SIDE 1 City Attorney introduced and read in its entirety Resolution No, 415, TRACK 1 a resolution of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills relat- 300 ing to improvements in subdivisions. MOTIONS SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Benson moved,, seconded by Councilman Aiken, that Resolution No, 415 be adopted as read,was carried unanimously by roll call vote: Ayes-. Councilmen Aiken, Benson, Fowle, Deputy Mayor Davey. Noes- None: Absentt Mayor Henley. LUViN COUNTY 'PARK - CUNSIDERATIUN ..FUR ENDURSBMENT OF TEEN. RE54ARCH REEL 3 PROJECT. SIDE 1. TRACK I Deputy Mayor Davey directed the City Manager, on behalf of the Council, 330 to communicate with Teen Researchy. Inc; and indicate unanimous Council support of the proposal as submitted in their letter dated November 11, 1967. Scheduled.Iteia No, 3: BYRNE PROPERTY ACQUISITION, R13BL 3 SIDE 1 City Manager reported that negotiations are continuing and requested :TRACK 1 the matter be held over to the December 18th meeting, Council concurred.339 Mr. D. Janssen, 27490 Sherlock Road, commented on the subject of a corridor through the Byrne property. Scheduled Item No. 4: CONSIDERATIONOFAN ORDINANCE BANNING TRUCKS ON JUNIPERO SERRA FREEWAY. REEL 3 SIDE 1 City Attorney presented draft prohibiting use of that portion of the TRACK 1 Junipero Serra Freeway through Los Altos Hills by trucks having a 363 gross weight over three tons, citing exceptions, but pointed out unless the State takes some action in this regard, such an ordinance would not be effective. Council concurred that a first reading would be in order to confirm the position of the Council in asking the State to ban trucks on the Freeway and lend support to the charge of the Noise Abatement Committee. City Attorney read the title of Ordinance No, 131, an ordinance of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills prohibiting truck traffic on Junipero Serra Freeway, Interstate Route 280, within the Town of Los Altos Hills,providing alternate routes and providing penalties for violations. FIRST READING. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED- Councilman Aiken moved, seconded by Council. man Fowle, that further reading of Ordinance No. 131 be waived, was carried unanimously by roll call vote- Ayes: Councilmen Aiken, Benson, Fowle, Deputy Mayor Davey. Noes: None. Absent: Mayor Henley. -4- J f'. Unscheduled Item No. 1: SHOOLERY, JABS N. W-294-67) - Request for reduction of setback re- .REEL 3 ^ quirement for Pool at 13470 Carillo Lane. SIDE 1 ( 1 TRACK 1 Mr. David S. Maquire, attorney representing both Messrs. Gustin and 384 Fenn who oppose this variance, presented opposing arguments, photographs and a revised map indicating corrected property lines from those shown on the Shoolery map. Council discussion followed. Commissioner Hibner, Planning Commission representative to the Council, reviewed the Planning Commission discussion, which resulted in a four to three vote to approve the variance. Deputy Mayor Davey requested comments from the Floor: Mr. J. Shoolery spoke in defense of his -request fon the variance. Mr. Fenn spoke in opposition to the granting of this variance. Mrs. M. E; Packard, 12640 La Cresta Drive, remarked on the new arguments presented to the Council which were not heard by the Planning Commission. MOTION AND SECOND: Councilman Fowle moved, seconded by Deputy Mayor Davey, that Mr. Shooleryis request be resubmitted to the Planning Commis- sion for review, with full arguments presented to the Commission as they were to the Council. Commissioner Dawson requested there be some agreement between the maps submitted by Messrs. Shoolery and Maquire, as well as proper naps on which to base a decision. VOTE: The Motion to return the Shoolery map to the Commission was carried unanimously by voice vote. APPOINT1107MT OF CITY OFFICIALS - 1968 LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES REEL 3 COMMITTEES. SIDE 1 TRACK 1 The following Council and Staff members volunteered to serve on a 630 League Committee: Councilman Walter A. Benson Deputy Mayor Mary C. Davey - Home Rule Committee City Manager Lowell W. Morse - Revenue and Taxation Committee Deputy Mayor Davey instructed the City Manager to convey the above information to the League of California Cities Appointment Committee. CONSIDERATION -OF ORDINANCE REGULATING SITE DEVELOPMENT AND GRADING - REEL 3 PROGRESS DRAFT.. SIDE 1 TRACK 1 The City Manager reported Commissioner Hibner noticed an omission in 6433 the progress draft regarding the definition of finish cuts and slopes I 1_ and that the draft was being retyped to include this omission on Page 15, Section 7.. -5- UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 3 cont'd.: SITE DEVELOPMENT ORD.: Since this was the only change in the draft which has been under study by the Council, the Deputy Mayor instructed the City Manager to agenda the Site Development Ordinance for the December 18th meeting for a First Reading. Deputy Mayor Davey expressed the appreciation of the Council to the Commission for their long hours and many weeks of study in arriving at their recommendations. STAFF REPORTS: None. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR: 1. Presentations from the Floor were made by: Messrs. P. Burchard and Frank W. Saul, on the subject of Sewer Assessment District No. 5; Messrs. Thomas. Marshall, G. Ferrari, T. Gamboa and Mrs. D. Miller, on the subject of Sewer Assessment District No. 2. Mr. D. Janssen spoke on commitments a Council makes to citizens. There was discussion by the City Manager and Council on the negotia- tions with Palo Alto and Los Altos for sewer service and the status of District 03. Councilman Aiken stated for the record that "I would be pleased to vote for sewers for these developers who put in in -tract lines, but my objections, as stated many times before, are to the dragging in of unwilling residents to help pay for it." 690 REEL 3 SIDE 1 TRACK 1 692 .WARRANTS: REEL 3 SIDE 1 MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Fowle moved, seconded by TRACK 1 Councilman Aiken, that the Bills as presented in the amount of SEVEN 996 THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN and Forty Cents ($7,127.,10) be approved and the City Clerk authorized to draw the appropriate warrants, was carried unanimously by roll call vote: Ayes: Councilmen Aiken, Benson, Fowle, Deputy Mayor Davey. Noes: None. Absent: Mayor Henley. ADJOUFWMSNT: 998 There being no further business, the Deputy Mayor adjourned the meeting at 10:24 P. 14. to: NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, December 18, 1967 at 7:45 P. M. at the Town Hall. Respectfully submitted, JUANITA L. MORGAN City Clerk Town of Los Altos Hills by 12/u/67-mazn F. M. Munz 1 -6- -Many hours of thought and discussion have gone into the best way to reconcile widely divergent aims and ideas about sewers in Los Altos Hills. I wish to propose a new general plan for District No. 2that is different from any previous plans and is tailored specifically to some of .the characteristics which are peculiar to this district. You will note that I do not use the words "Assessment District' for reasons which will become apparent. Some of the features peculiar to this district are: 1. It is probably one of the cheapest and easiest districts in .the whole town to sewer. The cost of a. pipe to .make it into a working system is a aurprisingly.low figure, and one that hardly seems to justify the complexity of assessment proceedings. 2. The undeveloped area predominates (approx 75%) with no existing costs for septic systems. It is of two types, some recently sub -divided with in -tract lines in place, and some un -divided but potentially sub - dividable.. The latter are split pro and con. 3. Potentially troublesome soil conditions exist in the undeveloped areas making sewering am economic advantage now before trouble develops. 4. The lower end of the district is proportionally heavily developed residentially and with some indication that eventual seweringmay be advantageous. However, Assessment District formation is strongly opposed by approx. one-half df .these resident, and admittedly with justification because assessment charges will be added to their already paid costs of septic systems. They are not so opposed to eventual payment when -as -and -if they are forced or choose to connect. The above set of conditions exist today in District No. 2, which, coupled with the low cost of making the system operable and the widely divergent aims and wishesofthe residents and land owners, points to a new and novel solution. I want the credit to go where it deserves. Mr. Morse and Mr. Nachtsheim have been juggling cost figures, pipe routes and service boundaries, and exploring all possible permutations toward a workable solution ever since the Council moved to call for action. They have done a magnificent job and are to be complimented.I have been working with them and have been of some assistance in cross-checking against possible pit -falls. It seems that a new, and I hope, fair and acceptable breakthrough is near. In order that my fellow Councilmen and the public may be apprised at an early stage of this possibility, I want to outline some of the ( basic considerations flow: 2 X 1.. Abandon assessment proceedings - thereby saving in costs, i.e., Legal, -'advertising, financial, contingency, etc., and accelerating the time cycle. 2. The Town obtain commitments from land owners to make connections at a figure which will eventually cover the cost of a trunk line. 3. The Town install a trunk line, the cost of which will be advanced through town funds. 4. The connection charge figure will remain in effect (or perhaps be modified) for others to pay and make connections as desired or needed. 5. .Later charges accruing to the Town in excess of its costs will first cover interest charges and the rest be funded for similar projects of as reserve for plant expansion or other plans. In passing, allow me to state that this general proposal is in line with - and in no way is contrary to - any of the following documents: a. First Sewer committee majority report. b. Second unanimous Sewer Committee report. C. .Metcalf and Eddy .report. d. Health Department statements, several. It is premature for me to present arguments in support of this proposal. The figures are not yet sufficiently refined and a good many more conferences will have to be held with some of the interested .parties. Those concerned am urged. to make their ideas known to Mr. Morse as soon as possible and assist him in assigning rational values to the various costs,. and. giving alternate routes. I am simply presenting it as a positive concept and asking the Council's .indulgence to.permit the staff to ..continua its study in depth and have a full and detailed .report for our nextmeeting,. even to the point for taking: possible action. I -can only say now, that preliminarily the .indications are .'good, that this or a similar :scheme will save time, money, and tempers. :Submitted atCouncil Meeting o€>December'.4, 1967 by Councilman John M. Fowls.