HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/19/2012Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California
CALL TO ORDER (7:00 P.M.)
A. Roll Call
B. Pledge Of Allegiance by Boy Scouts Troop 33- Los Altos, CA
1. PRESENTATIONS
2.
A. Environmental Design & Protection Committee Annual Report
Pat Ley, Chair of the Environmental Design and Protection Committee,
provided the City Council with a report on the activities of the committee.
AGENDA REVIEW
There were no changes to the agenda.
3. COMMITTEES AND APPOINTMENTS
A. Verbal Discussion of Standing Committees Change in Membership and Terms
(Council Initiated Item by Council Member Mordo)
Council Member Mordo presented a review of the current standing committees.
Council discussion ensued.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by
Waldeck and passed unanimously to amend Resolution 62-11, Establishing
Standing Committees and Adopting General and Specific Rules Pertaining Thereto,
to require a minimum membership of 5 and to note that for the committees with an
odd number of members, a quorum shall be a majority of the appointed members.
DIRECTION: The standing committee pages on the Town's website shall specify
the minimum and maximum number of members per committee and include the
definition of a quorum.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2012
Nobuko Cleary, Chair of History Committee, Los Altos Hills, expressed her
support of maintaining the History Committee.
At this point Council heard Presentations from the Floor.
5. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Persons wishing to address the Council
on any subject not on the agenda may do so now. Please complete a Speaker Card
located on the back table of the Council Chambers and submit it to the City Clerk.
Comments are limited to two (2) minutes per speaker. California law prohibits the
Council from acting on items that do not appear on the agenda. Under a
Resolution previousl.�adopted by the Council, such items can be referred to staff
for appropriate action, which may include placement on the next available agenda.
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Crysta Krames, Los Altos, requested the support and endorsement of the Council
for the Rotary Fine Art Show on May 19 and 20.
Jim Abraham, Planning Commissioner, Los Altos Hills, stated that the
Environmental Design and Protection Committee is a useful resource to the
Planning Commission.
Monica Taneja and Isabel Steffens, Los Altos Hills, noting that they could not
stay for Agenda Item 3.C, spoke in support of their appointments to the Youth
Commmission.
Les Earnest, Los Altos Hills, spoke about his interpretation of what constitutes a
quorum.
Kathy Evans, Los Altos Hills, stated that she supported the two applicants for the
Youth Commission and supported the History Committee
John Harpootlian, Planning Commissioner, Los Altos Hills, stated that he
appreciated several of the committees as they are helpful in providing different
viewpoints.
Council then returned to Item 3.11
B. Appointments to Traffic Safety Committee
Council Member Summit provided background on how and why the Traffic Safety
Committee was formed.
DIRECTION: Amend Resolution 62-11, Establishing Standing Committees and
Adopting General and Specific Rules Pertaining Thereto, to increase the
membership of the Traffic Safety Committee to a maximum of 10 members.
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January 19, 2012
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Radford
to appoint all ten applicants, Dru Anderson, Martha Bowden, Stephen Bristow,
Lester Earnest, Kjell "Shell' Karlsson, Breene Kerr, Steve Schmidt, Michael
Scheondorf, Michael Wagner and Michelle Wu to the Traffic Safety
Committee
AYES: Mordo, Radford, Waldeck and Larsen
NOES: Summit
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Larsen invited the applicants present to introduce themselves.
Martha Bowden, Los Altos Hills, introduced herself to the City Council.
Stephen Bristow, Los Altos Hills, introduced himself to the City Council.
Lester Earnest, Los Altos Hills, introduced himself to the City Council.
Michael Shoendorf, Los Altos Hills, introduced himself to the City Council.
Michael Wagner, Los Altos Hills, introduced himself to the City Council.
Michelle Wu, Los Altos Hills, introduced herself to the City Council.
Kjell "Shell' Karlsson, Los Altos Hills, introduced himself to the City Council.
C. Appointments to the Youth Commission
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Waldeck, seconded by
Radford and passed unanimously to appoint the three applicants, Nevin Taneja,
Monica Taneja and Isabel Steffens to the Youth Commission.
D. Appointments to the History Committee
Mayor Larsen invited the applicants to introduce themselves.
Catherine Popell, Los Altos Hills, introduced herself to the City Council.
Diane Brauch, Los Altos Hills, introduced herself to the City Council.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by
Waldeck and passed unanimously to appoint Catherine Popell and Diane Brauch
to the History Committee.
E. Council Appointments to Committees and Outside Agencies
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2012
2012
Outside Agencies Council Representative
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Larsen/Cahill (alt)
Emergency Preparedness Council Radford
League of California Cities -Peninsula Division Larsen
North County Library Authority Mordo/Waldeck
Joint Powers Authority Board (Library) Mordo/Waldeck
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2012
Town Standing Committee
Council Liaison
Community Relations
Radford
Education
Radford
Emergency Communications
Waldeck
Environmental Design & Protection
Summit
Environmental Initiatives
Larsen
Finance and Investment
Mordo & Radford
History
Summit
Open Space
Waldeck/Mordo (alt)
Parks & Recreation
Mordo/Summit
Pathways
Summit
Traffic Safety
Summit
Water Conservation
Waldeck/Mordo (alt)
LA/LAH Volunteer Awards
Summit/Waldeck (alt)
LA/LAH Senior Commission
Summit
2012
Outside Agencies Council Representative
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Larsen/Cahill (alt)
Emergency Preparedness Council Radford
League of California Cities -Peninsula Division Larsen
North County Library Authority Mordo/Waldeck
Joint Powers Authority Board (Library) Mordo/Waldeck
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Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Policy
Advisory Committee
Santa Clara Valley Water Commission (SCVWD)
SCVWD Lower Peninsula Flood Control District and
Watershed Advisory Board
Santa Clara County Cities Association Board
Santa Clara County Cities Association Selection
Comm.
PAUSD
Los Altos School District
Larsen
Summit
Summit
Larsen/Waldeck
Larsen/Waldeck
Radford
Radford
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Waldeck, seconded by Mordo
and passed unanimously to approve the Council appointments as noted.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Radford, seconded by Mordo
and passed unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of items 4.17
and 4.J, specifically:
A. Approval of Meeting Minutes: City Council Special Meeting - December 7, 2011
B. Review of Disbursements: November 1, 2011 -November 30, 2011 $452,890.23
C. Review of Disbursements: December 1, 2011 -December 31, 2011 $1,104,347.03
D. Resolution No. 1-12 Adopting Access to State and Federal Level Criminal
History Information for Employment Purposes (Staff. N. Pegueros)
E. Resolution No. 2-12 Adopting to Tax Defer Member Paid Contributions IRC
414(h)(2) Employer Pick-up (Staff: N. Pegueros)
G. Adoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance 533 Amending Title 5, Chapter 6 of the
Los Altos Hills Municipal Code (Construction of Buildings and Structures) (Staff:
D. Pedro)
H. Approval of Westwind Community Barn Rulebook Update (Staff. D. Pedro)
I. Resolution No. 3-12 Authorizing an Agreement with Ecological Concerns Inc. for
Landscape Design and Construction Services for the Edith Park Adobe Creek
Restoration Project (Staff: D. Pedro)
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K. Proclamation Congratulating Judge Leonard Edwards on Receiving the Los Altos
Town Crier's "Los Altan of the Year" Award for 2011 (Staff: D. Padovan)
L. LANDS OF NG; 26480 Weston Drive; File #229-11-ZP-SD-GD; A request or a
Site Development Permit for a new 6,197 square foot single story residence,
driveway relocation, and a 860 square feet swimming pool (maximum height 24').
CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (staff -Brian
Froelich).
Item 4.F Approval for the Mayor to Attend the 80th Annual U.S. Conference of
Mayors, June 13-16, 2012 in Orlando, Florida was removed from the Consent
Calendar for discussion.
Mayor Larsen provided additional information on Item 4.F.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Waldeck, seconded by
Council Member Mordo and passed unanimously to approve Consent Calendar
Item 4.17 approving the Mayor to Attendance the 80th Annual U.S. Conference of
Mayors, June 13-16, 2012 in Orlando, Florida.
Item 4.J Resolution No. 4-12 Approving the Use of "1,000 Hearts for 1,000
Minds" Event as a City -Sponsored Special Event, for Purposes of Using the City
Name and Emblem on Promotional Materials.
Council Member Summit requested additional information on Item 4.J.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Summit, seconded by
Mordo and passed unanimously to approve Consent Calendar Item 4.J, Resolution
No. 4-12 Approving the Use of "1,000 Hearts for 1,000 Minds" Event as a City
Sponsored -Special Event, for Purposes of Using the City Name and Emblem on
Promotional Materials.
Council Recess 8:50 p.m.
Council Reconvened to Open Session at 8:56 p.m.
At this point Council heard Item 8.13.
8. NEW BUSINESS
B. Resolution Adopting an Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Policy (Staff: D. Pedro)
George Clifford, Open Space Committee, stated that the committee is
recommending the Town adopt a policy to prohibit the use of expanded
polystyrene.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2012
Council discussion ensued.
Peter Evans, Chair of the Environmental Initiatives Committee, Los Altos
Hills, spoke about the sustainability tab on the Town's website and the potential
use for information.
Richard Partridge, Los Altos Hills, stated that a ceramic coffee mug is a fine
beverage container and suggested using the term "reusable or recyclable."
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by
Radford and passed unanimously to continue the item and direct staff to return
with a more comprehensive ban and a draft ordinance on what can be regulated.
Council then returned to Item 6.A
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. LANDS OF PURISSIMA HILLS WATER DISTRICT (APPLICANT: AT&T);
27299 Arastradero Road; File #23 -11 -CUP -VAR; A request for a Conditional Use
Permit renewal and modifications for an existing/previously approved wireless
communications facility and a variance to locate the ground equipment cabinets
within the property line setbacks. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per
Section 15301 (a) (Staff- D. Pedro)
Assistant Planner Nicole Horvitz presented the staff report.
MAYOR LARSEN OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING.
John Yu, representing applicant AT&T, spoke in support of this application.
Kathy Evans, Los Altos Hills, requested information from AT&T on what
individual residents could do to boost their service for safety and security reasons.
Council discussion ensued.
Jim Abraham, Los Altos Hills, stated that a micro cell pole came before Planning
Commission a few months prior and was approved.
MAYOR LARSEN CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by
Waldeck and passed unanimously to approve LANDS OF PURISSIMA HILLS
WATER DISTRICT (APPLICANT: AT&T); 27299 Arastradero Road; File #23-
11 -CUP -VAR; A request for a Conditional Use Permit renewal and modifications
for an existing/previously approved wireless communications facility and a variance
to locate the ground equipment cabinets within the property line setbacks.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2012
B. Consideration of Proposed Amendments to the Temporaa Sign Policy; File #
232-11-MISC• Proposed amendments include establishing the allowable number
of signs and/or banners per application and limiting the total number of signs
and/or banners displayed at any one location. CEQA Review: exemption per
Section 15061 (b) (3) (Staff. D. Pedro)
Assistant Planner Nicole Horvitz presented the staff report.
Council discussion ensued.
MAYOR LARSEN OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING.
Kathy Evans, Chair of Parks and Recreation Committee, Los Altos Hills, spoke
in support of signs.
Eileen Gibbons, Pathways Committee Chair, Los Altos Hills, stated that the
Pathways Committee are considering requesting posting signs near any CIP project
so the neighbors can be involved.
Peter Evans, Bullis Charter School Board Member, Los Altos Hills, stated that
they are always in strict compliance with the Town's ordinance, but they do need to
reach out to people as part of the enrollment process.
4 Barbara Williams, Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, questioned whether
the policy would affect real estate signs on private property.
LM
Lisa Warren, spoke about standardizing signs.
MAYOR LARSEN CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DIRECTION: At the next Council meeting the policy should include the
following: update the sign locations; standardized size of the signs; any party shall
be able to put a sign on all the locations which means the potential of more than two
signs at any intersection from time to time at a 30 day maximum; and the time
between signs shall be 90 days by a particular group for the same event.
City Manager Carl Cahill brought to the attention of the Mayor the adjournment notification.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Radford, seconded by Waldeck and
passed unanimously to continue the meeting past 10:00 p.m.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Town Goals 2012 - Personal and Public Safety for All Residents
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2012
DIRECTION: Mayor Larsen outlined the following goals, in no particular order:
a traffic safety initiative with the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, with a focus on
"Share the Road"; ongoing CERT programs; resolving the Buena Vista Drive
Intersection; Fremont Road and providing our safe routes to school program;
finalizing the Arastradero Path program; and updating the Circulation and Scenic
Roadways Element.
B. Presentation of the Annual Audited Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year
Ended June 30, 2011(Staff N. Pegueros)
Finance Director Nick Pegueros presented the staff report.
Council discussion ensued.
No Council action was necessary.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion of Los Altos Hills Family (LAHF)
City Manager Carl Cahill introduced the item.
Council discussion ensued.
Kathy Evans, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee, Los Altos Hills,
outlined the various differences and roles between the Parks and Recreation
Committee and Los Altos Hills Family.
Jim Abraham, Los Altos Hills, expressed concern about the money provided to
LAHF and whether or not there could be an auditing issue.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Moved by Waldeck, seconded by Mordo
require all Los Altos Hills Family activities to be funded through and approved by
the Parks and Recreation Committee.
AYES:
Larsen, Mordo, Summit and Waldeck
NOES:
Radford
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
C. Verbal Discussion on the Replacement of Audience Chairs in the City Council
Chambers (Staff. N. Pe ug eros)
Due to illness Council Member Radford left the meeting at 11:10 p.m.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2012
Finance Director Nick Pegerous presented the item.
Council discussion ensued.
DIRECTION: Continue to repair the chairs and investigate opportunities to
prolong their use.
9. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT
A. Notification of Planning. Commission Approvals:
LANDS OF ABRAHAM 12831 Viscaino Road; File #278-11-ZP-SD; A request
for a Site Development Permit and Setback Variance for a 668 square foot
detached garage that would encroach a maximum of 20 feet into the required 30
foot side -yard setback. The proposed garage is located adjacent to an existing 10
foot tall retaining wall and over existing paving that were both permitted in 1992.
(maximum structure height 9?) CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per
Section 15303 (e) (staff -Brian Froelich).
Planning Commission Vote:
Ayes: Commissioners: Clow, Harpootlian, Partridge and Chairman Collins
Noes: None
Abstain: Commissioner Abraham
Appeal Date: January 27, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.
4 Planning Director Debbie Pedro presented the item.
Council discussion ensued.
Richard Partridge, Planning Commissioner, Los Altos Hills, spoke about the
Planning Commission's approval of the project.
There was no action necessary on this item.
At this point Council heard Item 12.A
12. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
A. Fence Survey Verbal Report (Vice Mayor Waldeck)
Vice Mayor Gary Waldeck provided a report on the fence survey.
B. Discussion Reding Adopting a Resolution to Urge Congress to Amend the
Constitution to Affirm that Corporations are not Persons and that Money is not
Speech (Council Member Mordo)
Council Member Mordo presented the item.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
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In
Mayor Larsen explained his "no" vote.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Move by Summit, seconded by Mordo to
adopt a Resolution to Urge Congress to Amend the Constitution to Affirm that
Corporations are not Persons and that Money is not Speech.
AYES:
Mordo, Summit and Waldeck
NOES:
Larsen
ABSENT:
Radford
ABSTAIN:
None
DIRECTION: Staff to prepare a Resolution and bring it back on the Consent
Calendar in February.
C. Consider Participation by Los Altos Hills in the Planned Community Center in
Los Altos (Council Member Mordo)
Council Member Mordo presented the item.
Council discussion ensued.
DIRECTION: The Council determined there is interest to explore the issue in the
future.
Council then returned to Item 10.A
10. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB -COMMITTEES, AND COUNCIL
MEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
Vice Mayor Waldeck stated that a forum is being planned on February 6, 2012, in the
City Council Chambers to discuss the Leigh Quarry and to share the results of an air
quality data evaluation and water sample test at Permanente Creek conducted by an
independent environmental consultant.
DIRECTION: Council authorized the mailing of a Town -wide post card notice of the
public information forum.
11. STAFF REPORTS
No staff reports were presented.
13. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 12:08 a.m.
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Im
Respectfully submitted,
tea/ 9-2 V-
�ay, a
Deborah Padovan
City Clerk
The minutes of the January 19, 2012, regular City Council meeting were approved as presented
at the February 16, 2012 regular City Council meeting.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2012