HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/2013Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California
CLOSED SESSION (5:30 P.M.)
PUBLIC SESSION (6:00 P.M.)
A. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Waldeck, Vice Mayor Radford, Councilmember Corrigan,
Councilmember Harpootlian, Councilmember Larsen
Absent: None
Staff. City Manager Carl Cahill, City Attorney Steve Mattas, Community
Development Director Debbie Pedro, City Engineer/Public Works Director
Richard Chiu, Administrative Services Director Yulia Carter, Assistant Planner
Nicole Horvitz, City Clerk Deborah Padovan
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Steve Mattas reported out of closed session that the Council, by a 5-0 vote,
approved tentative terms for a settlement in the Dowie v. Los Altos Hills matter.
B. Pledge of Alle ig ance
Daisy Girl Scout Troup 61878 of Los Altos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. AGENDA REVIEW
Mayor Waldeck moved Item 10.E right after Presentations from the Floor; and Item 6.A
to immediately follow Item 10.E.
2. PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
A. Reappointment to the Los Altos Hills Pathways Committee
Sue Welch, Los Altos Hills, expressed an interest in being reappointed to the
Pathways Committee.
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MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Vice Mayor Radford,
seconded by Councilmember Corrigan and passed unanimously to reappoint Sue
Welch to the Pathways Committee for an additional four year term expiring
October 2017.
DIRECTION: Councilmember Corrigan requested that term limits for
committees be agendized for a future City Council meeting.
B. Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Youth Commission
AJ Uppal, Los Altos Hills, introduced himself to the City Council.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilmember Corrigan,
seconded by Vice Mayor Radford and passed unanimously to appoint AJ Urinal to
the Youth Commission.
C. Water Conservation Committee Annual Report
Kit Gordon, Chair of the Los Altos Hills Water Conservation Committee,
provided an annual report on the activities of the committee.
Council discussion ensued. No action was taken.
3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Persons wishing to address the Council
on any subiect not on the agenda may do so now. Please complete a Sneaker 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
previously adopted by the Council, such items can be referred to staff for
appropriate action, which may include placement on the next available agenda.
Karen Druker, Los Altos Hills, thanked the Council and staff for supporting the arts. She
stated that the Art in Public Places Committee has created a vehicle for residents to donate
a piece of public art sculpture.
Jeff Cristina, GreenWaste Recovery, stated that on October 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Greenwaste has scheduled a cleanup at Foothill College in parking lot 6.
At this point the Council considered Item 2.1).
D. Presentation on the Activities of the CERT Program
Mike Sanders, Emergency Services Coordinator for the Los Altos Hills County
Fire District, provided the Council with a report on the activities of CERT.
Council discussion ensued. No action was taken.
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The Council then resumed Presentations from the Floor.
Tara Swan, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of the pony club.
Lila Gorman, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of pony club.
Helen Cunningham, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of pony club.
Karen Ammer, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of pony club.
Annie Leung, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of the year round riding program.
Margaret Mock, Los Altos Hills, said that Westwind Barn is her community center.
Polly Newman, Los Altos, spoke in support of the pony club and riding programs.
Bill Powell, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of the Westwind Barn riding programs.
Eva Weinlander, Los Altos Hills, urged the council to move forward to find a
thoughtful solution to Westwind Barn.
Marion Querenet de Breville, Los Altos Hills, shared her positive experience with the
pony club.
Lexi Burdon, Los Altos Hills, stated that she looks forward to seeing the barn thrive for
other children.
The Council now considered Item 10.E.
E. Planning Director: a. Update on the Status of Westwind Barn Management
Proposals
Community Development Director Debbie Pedro provided an update from the
Westwind Community Barn RFP Evaluation Committee to review concessionaire
proposals.
Council discussion ensued.
Mayor Waldeck suggested a study session so the City Council could hear all the
information at one time.
DIRECTION: Set a special City Council meeting for 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 24,
2013.
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The Council now considered Item 6.A.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with West Coast Footing's & Supply Co.,
Inc to Repair the Lower Arena Footing and Base at Westwind Barn (Staff: D.
Pedro
Director Debbie Pedro gave an update of the Westwind Barn lower arena footing
project.
Council discussion ensued.
Rita Sinasohn-Pharr commented on the safety of the area as it stands.
Jitze Couperus, Los Altos Hills, spoke about preventative maintenance of the
lower arena.
Jim Abraham, Los Altos Hills, stated that spending money for the benefit of a few
people for a situation that is not a safety hazard doesn't make sense.
Further Council discussion ensued.
Ms. Sinasohn-Pharr outlined the options available.
Connie Clark, Sunnyvale, stated that she had boarded her horse at Westwind Barn,
but had to move the horse due to a veterinary recommendation.
Nancy Couperus, Los Altos Hills, urged the Council not to go with the "cheap
fix."
Val Metcalfe, Los Altos Hills, provided some historical background on the
drainage ditches in the lower arena area of the barn.
Deborah McCarley, President of the Pacific Pony Club, stated that the drainage
ditches that used to work for years are filling up. She said that the base has been
broken for a long time.
Council discussion ensued.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Direct staff to clean out ditches around the arena
immediately; explore whether or not to cover the arena; request a second opinion
that includes detailed analysis on the proper way to address fixing the lower arena;
request engineering analysis from Cotton and Shires; check with the vendor (West
Coast Footings) to determine the schedule they can commit to and when they need
the Town's confirmation; understand the options, schedule and cost; and request the
time period for a competitive bid.
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MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilmember
Harpootlian seconded by Councilmember Corrigan and passed unanimously,
with the recommendations as stated to continue this item to the next meeting.
4. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES SUB -COMMITTEES AND COUNCIL
MEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
A. Nomination of Council Representative on the Community Health Awareness
Council (Mayor Waldeck)
Monique Kane, CHAC, requested a Council representative on the CHAC Joint
Powers Authority.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilmember Larsen,
seconded by Vice Mayor Radford and passed unanimously to assign
Councilmember Corrigan as a board member to CHAC with Vicki Oldben as
the alternate.
B. Nomination of a Councilmember for an Upcoming_ Opening on the Los Altos Hills
County Fire District Board (Councilmember Larsen)
Councilmember Larsen reported that the Los Altos Hills County Fire District has
a Board of Directors that oversees the spending for the fire district. The Fire
District will have an opening on the Board of Directors beginning in January 2014,
and he nominated Mayor Waldeck for the opening.
Councilmember Harpootlian questioned whether or not this nomination would be
a conflicting position between the Town and the Fire District.
Councilmember Larsen stated that the Town received a written ruling by the
Attorney General's office that allowed a Councilmember to also serve as a Fire
Commissioner.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Larsen moved to
nominate Mayor Waldeck to serve on the Los Altos Hills County Fire District. The
motion was seconded by Councilmember Corrigan.
AYES: Mayor Waldeck Vice Mayor Radford Councilmember Corrigan,
Councilmember Larsen
NOES: Councilmember Harpootlian
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION CARRIED.
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C. Report and Nomination of Appointment of an Alternate VTA Board Member from
the "Northwest Cities Groin' (Councilmember Larsen)
Councilmember Larsen presented the item.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Vice Mayor Radford,
seconded by Mayor Waldeck and passed unanimously to nominate
Councilmember Larsen as alternate VTA Group 2 Board Member from the
Northwest Cities Group with Councilmember Harpootlian to serve as an
alternate to Councilmember Larsen.
Council recess at 8:55 p.m.
Council reconvened to open session at 9:04 p.m.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Lands of Taelemans 25550 Moody Road-, File #96 -13 -VAR; A request to modify
the existing conservation easement agreement (adopted on July 15, 2004 by the
City Council) to allow a 124 square foot storage shed to encroach within the
conservation easement In addition the applicant is requesting a variance for the
shed to be located within the front property line setback. CEQA Review:
Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (e)(Staff. D. Pedro) - Continued from
the September 19 2013 City Council meeting.
Assistant Planner Nicole Horvitz presented the staff report.
Council discussion ensued.
Mayor Waldeck opened the PUBLIC HEARING.
Chris Taelemans, Los Altos Hills, presented her application.
Mayor Waldeck closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
Council discussion ensued.
Ex Parte Communications. Councilmember Harpootlian reported that he met
with the applicant.
Jim Abraham, Los Altos Hills, stated that if the drainage issue was done with a
permit, it should have been signed off on by the Town.
Richard Partridge, Los Altos Hills, didn't recall the drainage issue being
discussed at the Planning Commission.
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Kjell Karlsson, Los Altos Hills, stated that the Town should not set a precedent in
not charging for a variance.
Ms. Taelemans offered further explanation on why the flooding occurred on her
property.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Radford moved to approve
the modification to the existing conservation easement, the variance for the shed,
and the fees for the variance be halved The motion was seconded by Mayor
Waldeck,
AYES: Vice Mayor Radford Councilmember Corrigan
NOES: Mayor Waldeck Councilmember Harpootlian Councilmember
Larsen
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION FAILED.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilmember
Harpootlian seconded by Councilmember Corrigan and passed unanimously to
adopt Resolution 52-13 modifying the existing, conservation easement and approve
the requested variance for the storage shed subject to conditions of approval and
findings.
7. ONGOING BUSINESS
A. Recommendation to Maintain Certain Roads Previously Thought to be Private
(Staff. R. Chiu)
Public Works Director Richard Chiu presented the staff report.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Larsen moved to extend
the meeting past 10 p.m. The motion was seconded by Councilmember
Harpootlian.
AYES: Mayor Waldeck Councilmember CorriganCouncilmember
HarpootlianCouncilmember Larsen
NOES: Vice Mayor Radford
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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IM
MOTION CARRIED.
Council discussion ensued.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilmember
Harpoothan seconded by Councilmember Larsen and passed unanimously to
acknowledge receipt of the report.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Moved by Vice Mayor Radford, seconded
Councilmember Larsen and passed unanimously to approve the _CONSENT
CALENDAR with the exception of item 8.F, specifically:
A. Approval of Meeting Minutes: City Council Special Meeting - September 19
B. Approval of Meeting Minutes: City Council Regular Meeting - September 19
C. Review of Disbursements: September 1, 2013 -September 30, 2013 $335,760.30
D. Receive Investment Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2013 (Staff: Y.
Carter)
E. Resolution 53-13 Accepting the Dedication of Right -of -Way for the Lands of
Emami-Naeimi and Tavassoli; 13761 La Paloma Road (Staff. R. Chiu)
G. Resolution 54-13 Accepting Grant of Open Space Easement for the Lands of Tiop,
Inc.; 26991 Taaffe Road, File #110-12-ZP-SD-GD (Staff: D. Pedro)
H. Notification of Fast Track Approval: Lands of Munshi; 26478 Ascension Drive:
File #81-13-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 5,927
square foot two story residence (Maximum height 27) with a 1,992 square foot
basement, 1,293 square foot swimming pool, and a 578 square foot pavilion. The
applicant is also requesting a new fence along the front and portions of the side
property lines. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) & (e).
(Staff: D. Pedro)
Notification of Fast Track Approval: Lands of Chao, 26438 Ascension Drive; File
No. 184-13-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 4,771
square foot new residence with a 2,329 square foot basement (Maximum height:
26'-6"), a 527 square foot swimming pool and removal of two (2) heritage oak
trees. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) & (e) (Staff.
D. Pedro)
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 17, 2013
F. Resolution 55-13 Approving Amendment No 2 to the Natoma Road Sanitary
Sewer Main Extension Reimbursement Agreement dated June 16 2011, by and
between the Town of Los Altos Hills and the Malavalli Revocable Trust dated
March 13 1997 (Staff. R. Chiu)
Director Chiu presented the staff report.
Duncan MacMillan, Los Altos Hills, stated that he is one of the 24 property
owners potentially affected by the agreement and said he is not interested in
participating.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mayor Waldeck, seconded
by Councilmember Harpootlian and passed unanimously to adopt Resolution 55-
13 approving and authorizing Amendment No 2 to the Natoma Road Sanitary
Sewer Main Extension Reimbursement Agreement.
9. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
A. Potential Rescheduling of the November City Council Meeting (Vice Mayor
Radford
Vice Mayor Radford requested that the special City Council meeting scheduled for
November 7, 2013 be moved to November 6, 2013.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilmember Larsen,
seconded by Councilmember Corrigan and passed unanimously to reschedule the
November City Council meeting to November 5.
10. STAFF REPORTS
A. City Manager
No report.
B. City Attorney
No report.
C. City Clerk
City Clerk Deborah Padovan reminded that the Joint City Council meeting with
Los Altos was scheduled for October 23, 2013 and the ribbon cutting for the
Arastradero Trail on November 1, 2013.
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D. Finance Director
No report.
F. Public Works Director: a Update on the Public Information Meeting on Safety
Improvements at Page Mill Road and I-280 and b. Update on I-280 Quieting
Project
Director Chiu provided an update on the Page Mill Road/1-280 Signalization
Project. A Town wide meeting to discuss the project is scheduled for Tuesday,
November 12, 2013.
Director Chiu stated that he has contacted Caltrans regarding the I-280 paving to
mitigate sound project. Caltrans indicated it is within their 10 year program to
repave I-280 from Foothill to Highway 92.
11. ADJOURN Pursuant to Ordinance No. 506, the Council Meeting shall adjourn no
later than 10.00 p.m., unless otherwise approved by a maiority of the
Councilmembers present.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Moved by Councilmember Larsen, seconded by
Councilmember Corrigan and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
144)/ / e� /
Deborah Padovan
City Clerk
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