HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/13/1956MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
C#Y�
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS, CALIFORNIA
JUNE 139 1956
An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council was
called to order by Mayor Treat at 7:55 P. M., June 139 19569
at Purissima School. The following councilmen were present
upon roll call: Bledsoe, Dungan, Fowle, Rothwell sad Treat;
absent, none.
Mayor Treat announced that Mayor Atkinson of Los Altos
asked that two citizens be appointed to a library committee.
The following neves were suggested:
Harold Seacrest
Darwin Tielhet
Proctor Mellquist
Wallace Stegner
Mayor Treat said that he would appoint two from this list.
There was a discussion as to appointment of delegates
to the hospital committee. No action was taken.
Mayor Treat stated that there was a conflict about
the use of the city hall for a Stanford Student Dance. The
city lease does not so allow. This was turned over to the city
clerk.
A letter from the County Health Department was read
relating to rabies epidemic and requesting the passage of an
emergency ordinance. This matter was referred to the city at-
torney.
A letter from the American Automobile Association was
presented asking for city endorsement of the association to
continue furnishing signs at cost. ApproOwas given on motion
duly made, seconded and passed unanimously. The city clerk was
instructed to communicate with the association.
Councilman Bledsoe presented a policy from Lloyds of
London relating to coverage of false arrest.
Councilman Rothwell was appointed to a special com-
mittee relating to designation of truck roads. The other members
of the committee, already appointed, are City Engineer McCandless,
Road Commissioner Macabee, Mayor Treat and Councilman Dungan,
Mayor Treat opened the meeting to discussion of the
matter of traffic ordinance. A letter from Mayor Anderson of the
City of Mountain View was read presenting the fact that contem-
plated legislation on load limits would tend to increase the
cost of road and subdivision work. It urged careful consideration
of such action. A similar communication from the City Manager of
Palo Alto was presented verbally by Councilman Rothwell,
Councilman Dungan reviewed the engineering data upon
which the proposed ordinance was based. He stated that the
existing road budget would not permit building roads adequate
for large trucks. The value of 12 -ton limit was arrived at on
the basis of existing road construction.
- 2 -
6-13-56
Mr. Collin Peters, attorney for Sondgroth, Freeman
and Heimendinger, presented the case for the truckers. He stated
that the 12 -ton limit would put the truckers out of business.be-
cause the load was uneconomical.
Mr. Warren Mendel read and filed a protest from the
Engineering and Grading Contractors Association.
Mr. Sondgroth stated that the nearest other source
of rock of a quality equal to that from the Neery quarry was
either in Watsonville or Brisbane.
Mr. Kenneth Johnson, representing Bahr and Ledoyen,
made a statement opposing the ordinance.
Mr. Peters stated that perhaps a method could be arrived
at by which the roads could be maintained without cost to the
taxpayers of Los Altos Hills .
Mr. Sondgroth stated that the large trucks he has are
more economical to haul even short distances than that of a
12 -ton gross truck.
Mr. Ledoyen and Mr. Bahr each spoke on costs:
6 -mile haul, cost is:
30X per ton for 76,000-1b. truck
60 per ton for 5 -yard truck
Mr. Neery asked why we were so concerned with El Monte
road. He stated that the road is about the same now as it was
20 years ago.
Mr. Hibner stated that on 1.2 miles of El Monte, the
county spent about $3,000 per year; Stonebrook cost about $1,200
- 3 - 6-13-56
per year.
Mr. Neery stated that for the past 10 years, the trucks
have all been of the large size. City Attorney Bullis stated
that there would exist a case of undue hardship on Sondgroth Bros,
If the subject ordinance was passed and suggested that we add
another clause to take care of these special cases. Mr. Vern
Freeman stated that speed of trucks and axle loading are the
controlling factors, rather than gross weight. He offered his
services to the committee to work up a fair ordinance.
Councilman Dungan proposed an amendment to the subject
ordinance stating that truckers operating on existing contracts
be excepted from weight limitations during contracts in existence
at time of adoption. After a 5 minute recess, the amendment was
passed.
An emergency Ordinance No. 1$ relating to Rabies Endemic,
requiring licensing and vaccination of all dogs, AAd by
City Attorney Bullis. Rejected. ,Q
1
Councilman Dungan proposed a resolyationV/ that dog owners
of the commmnity have their dogs vaccinated for rabies and that
the letter from the county warning of the endemic be posted and
given to the press.
Mr. McCandless, chairman of the Trucking Committee,
called a meeting for Monday, June 18th, at 7:45 P. M., at Purissima
School. Mr. Peters agreed to gather a committee of truckers to
meet with them.
- 4 - 6-13-56
Mr. Hibner was appointed Acting Chief of Police during
the absence of Chief of Uice McKenna.
There being no further business, the meeting was ad-
journed until 7:45 P. M., Wednesday, June 20, 1956, at Purissima
School.
City Clerk
I /% /, 7 '7
�Cp
City Clerk
- 5 - 6-13-56