HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/12/2011 Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Summit called the City Council Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers at Town Hall.
Present: Mayor Ginger Summit, Mayor Pro Tem Rich Larsen, Councilmember Jean
Mordo, Councilmember John Radford, Councilmember Gary Waldeck
Absent: None
Staff. City Manager Carl Cahill, Planning Director Debbie Pedro, City
Engineer/Public Works Director Richard Chiu, Finance Director Nick
Pegueros, Finance Manager Anna Erickson
APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Re-Appointment to the North County Library Authority—Jim Lai
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Motion by Larsen, seconded by Radford and
passed unanimously to approve the re-appointment of Jim Lai to the North County
• Library Authority
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items removed: Agenda Item#5 (Mordo)
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Waldeck, seconded by Radford and
passed unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar, specifically:
2. Notification of Fast Track Approval: Lands of Foster, 13060 La Paloma Road; File
#269-10-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 75620 square foot
new two story residence (Maximum height: 28'), a 840 square foot swimming pool,
and 1,664 square foot sports court. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per
Sections 15303 (a) and(e) (staff: D. Pedro)
3. Notification of Fast Track Approval: Lands of Mokkarala, 27807 Via Ventana Way;
File #22-11-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 172 square foot
addition and major remodel (Maximum height: 25'). The plate height is proposed to
be increased from 8' to 10' with a new hip roof design. CEQA Review: Categorical
Exemption per Section 15303(a) (staff. D. Pedro)
4. Notification of Fast Track Approval: Lands of Ferrari, Lands of Ferrari Family
Trust, and Lands of Diard, 25800 Altamont Road and 25860 Altamont Road
(APN#'s 182-17-045, 182-17-046, & 182-17-047); File #28-11-LLA; A request for
a lot line adjustment between three (3) adjoining lots. CEQA Review: Categorical
Exemption per Section 15305(a) (staff: D. Pedro)
Approved City Council Special Meeting Minutes
May 12,2011
6. Adopt Resolution of Intention to Approve and Amendment to Contract Between the
Board of Administration California Public Employee's Retirement System and the
Town Council of Los Altos Hills (staff: N. Pegueros) Resolution#24-11
7. Adopt Amendments to the Town's Personnel Rules and Regulations (staff: N.
Pegueros) Resolution#25-11
8. Review of Disbursements: April 1, 2011 —April 30, 2011 $615,985.73
ITEMS REMOVED
5. Adopt Updated Job Class Specifications for the Position of City Clerk (staff N.
Pegueros)
Councilmember Mordo requested identification of changes from existing , job
specifications. Staff pointed out major changes. Councilmember Mordo, .with the
consensus of the council, expressed great appreciation for the retiring City Clerk.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Radford and
passed unanimously to approve adoption of the updated job class specifications for the
position of City Clerk.
PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Resident Les Earnest brought to the Council's attention a reported recent increase in
moving violation tickets being issued to bicyclists. Discussion ensued.
NEW BUSINESS
9. Study Session with the Finance and Investment Committee Regarding Proposed
FY2011-12 Operating and Capital Improvement Budget(staff N. Pegueros)
Committee Chair Allan Epstein called the Special Finance and Investment Committee
meeting to order. Members present: Allan Epstein, Roddy Sloss and Stan Mok. Staff
presented the 2011-12 budget. Discussion ensued. No action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was jointly adjourned by the consensus of
the City Council and the Finance and Investment Committee at 8:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas Pegueros
Acting City Clerk
The minutes of the May 12, 2011 special City Council meeting were approved as
presented at the June 16, 2011 City Council meeting.
2 Approved City Council Special Meeting Minutes
May 12,2011
i LOSALTOS HILLS Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda
r •� Thursday, May 19, 2011
CALIFORNIA Council Chambers, 263 79 Fremont Road
NOTICE TO PUBLIC
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item
on the open session portion of this agenda will be made available for public inspection in
the City Clerk's office located at 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California during
normal business hours.
7:00 P.M.—CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL,PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Administration of Oath to Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Volunteers
• 2. Appointments (3)to the Los Altos Hills Youth Commission
3. Presentation on Proposal of Age Friendly City, Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Senior
Committee(Anabel Pelham-Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Senior Committee Member)
AGENDA REVIEW
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items appearing on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will he adopted in one
motion, except for any item removed for separate consideration elsewhere on the agenda. The
Mayor will ask the Council and the audience for requests to remove these items.
4. Approval of Meeting Minutes: City Council Regular Meeting—April 21, 2011
5. Acceptance of Quarterly Investment Reports for the Period ending March 31, 2011 (Staff'.
N.Pegueros)
6. Award Westwind Community Barn Landscaping Contract(Staff. R. Chiu)Reso#
1 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda
May 19,2011
CONSENT CALENDAR(continued)
7. Approval of Amended Charter for Los Altos Hills Youth Commission(Staff: S. Gualtieri)
8. Approval of Proposed Continued Participation in Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement and
Cooperation Agreement for the County of Santa Clara Community Development Block
Grant and Home Programs for Federal Fiscal Years 2011-2012, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014
(Staff: D.Pedro)
9. Adopt Ordinance Amendment to Title 6, Chapter 1, Section 6-1.603 "Dangerous Dogs and
Animals" and Section 6-1.604 "Possessing Dangerous Dogs or Wild Animals" of the Los
Altos Hills Municipal Code (Staff: S. Garcia)
Motion to Waive Reading Motion to Adopt the Ordinance
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's 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.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
10. Town Goals 2011
• Personal and Public Safety for All Residents
o Verbal Update on Ad Hoc Traffic Safety Committee
o Verbal Update on Lehigh Quarry Public Information Forum
11. Verbal Report on 2011-12 Budget Study Session Open Items (Staff: N. Pegueros)
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT
12. Notification of Planning Commission Approval, Lands of Thrun, 13818 Page Mill Road;
File #257-10-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 5,026 square foot
new residence with a 4,916 square foot basement and 780 square foot swimming pool
(maximum height: 24 feet). The applicant requests a Grading Policy Exception to cut up to
eleven (11) feet for the driveway and permission to remove four (4) heritage oak trees.
CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff: D. Pedro)
Planning Commission Vote: 3-1-1 (Harpootlian no/Collins absent)
Appeal Deadline: 5:00 pm, MU 27, 2011
2 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda
May 19,2011
STAFF REPORTS
COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
13. Ad hoc Fence Committee—(Councilmember, G. Waldeck)
ADJOURNMENT
ASSISTANCE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting,
please contact the City Clerk at 650-941-7222. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to
make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
Copies of all agenda reports and supporting data are available for inspection at Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road
and at the Los Altos Main Library 72 hours in advance of the meeting.A complete agenda can also be found on the
Town's WebPage: hM://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov. Two complete packets of information are available for
inspection during the meeting at the table to the back of the Council Chambers
The Council may take action on any agendized matter in any manner deemed appropriate by the Council.
3 City Council Regular Meeting Agenda
May 19,2011
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Summit called the City Council Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at Town Hall.
Present: Mayor Ginger Summit, Mayor Pro Tem Rich Larsen, Councilmember Jean
Mordo, Councilmember John Radford, Councilmember Gary Waldeck
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Carl Cahill, Planning Director Debbie Pedro, City Engineer/Public
Works Director Richard Chiu, Finance Director Nick Pegueros, City Attorney
Steve Mattas, City Clerk Karen Jost
APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
• Mayor Summit acknowledged Chris Vargas and his work for the Pathways Committee and a
participant in the Earthday Cleanup. Bullis Charter School had 380 students cleanup downtown
Los Altos and 25 miles of trails, and Gardner Bullis had 60 students clean up five miles of trails
near the school campus. Summit added that the schools would be officially recognized in
September.
Mayor Summit acknowledged the addition of pictures on the wall that were put up by Art
Curator, Karen Druker.
1. Administration of Oath to Community Emergency Response Team(CERT)Volunteers
Steve Garcia introduced the new CERT members and City Clerk Jost thanked the new members
for volunteering and then' administered the oaths of office. Afterwards, Mayor Summit
congratulated the new members on their willingness to participate in the CERT program.
2. Appointment(3)to the Los Altos Hills Youth Commission
Mayor Summit invited the applicants to introduce themselves. Andrew Lee and Vamsi Gadiraju
were present. Anna Garverick was unable to attend the meeting.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Motion by Mordo, seconded by Larsen and passed
unanimously to approve the appointments of Andrew Lee to the Youth Commission.
Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 19,2011
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Motion by Radford, seconded by Mordo and passed
unanimously to approve the appointment of Anna Garverick to the Youth Commission.
• MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Motion by Radford, seconded by Waldeck and passed
unanimously to approve the appointment of Vamsi Gadiraju to the Youth Commission.
3. Presentation on Proposal of Age Friendly City, Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Senior
Committee (Anabel Pelham- Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Senior Committee Member)
Anabel Pelham, Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Senior Committee Member, provided a PowerPoint
presentation describing the project proposal for Age Friendly Cities, sponsored by the United
Nation's World Health Organization (WHO). She explained that Los Altos Hills and Los Altos
would become the first Age Friendly Cities in California, if the Council agrees to the initiative.
She reviewed the guide created by the WHO which includes the following topic areas: Outdoor
Spaces and Buildings, Transportation, Housing, Respect and Social Inclusion, Social
Participation, Communication and Information, Civic Participation and Employment, and
Community Support and Health Services. The City of Los Altos will also be asked to approve the
project. The Council was urged to make a motion accept the project and then submit the two-
page application to the WHO.
Mayor Summit concurred with the request and noted that it would open doors for potential
funding.
Council discussion ensued. Questions were asked related to costs. Council concurred with
• supporting the project, contingent upon the same support from the Los Altos City Council.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Motion by Mordo, seconded by Waldeck and passed
unanimously to support the project, contingent on the support of the City Council of the City of
Los Altos.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Larsen, seconded by Waldeck and passed
unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar, specifically:
4. Approval of Meeting Minutes: City Council Regular Meeting—April 21, 2011
5. Acceptance of Quarterly Investment Reports for the Period ending March 31, 2011 (Staff:
N. Pegueros)
6. Award Westwind Community Barn Landscaping Contract(Staff. R. Chiu) Reso#26-11
7. Approval of Amended Charter for Los Altos Hills Youth Commission(Staff: S. Gualtieri)
8. Approval of Proposed Continued Participation in Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement and
Cooperation Agreement for the County of Santa Clara Community Development Block
Grant and Home Programs for Federal Fiscal Years 2011-2012, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014
• (Staff. D. Pedro) Reso#27-11
2 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 19,2011
9. Adopt Ordinance Amendment to Title 6, Chapter 1, Section 6-1.603 "Dangerous Dogs and
• Animals" and Section 6-1.605 "Possessing Dangerous Dogs or Wild Animals" of the Los
Altos Hills Municipal Code (Staff: S. Garcia) ORD# 528
PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Vincent Liu, resident, spoke about the proposed plan to build a bike lane on Fremont Road and
the issue with additional bicyclists who cause safety problems.
Jolon Wagner, resident, asked about the revision of the agenda. The City Attorney stated the
revised agenda was noticed and distributing in accordance of the Brown Act.
Tara Dhillon, resident, spoke on behalf of residents of the Miranda/Manuella/Fremont Road
neighborhood group and expressed concern about higher car speeds and safety risks to children
riding bicycles. The Council was urged to solicit citizen impact before the design phase and
asked that the Council focus on separate pathways and retaining the rural nature of Fremont
Road.
Mark Bryer, resident, provided an update on discussions with regard to obtaining residents'
input.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
10. Town Goals 2011
• Personal and Public Safety for All Residents
o Verbal Update on Ad Hoc Traffic Safety Committee
Mayor Summit advised that an Ad Hoc Traffic Safety Committee meeting was held last week.
Members from the Planning Commission, the Planning Director, the City Engineer, the City
Manager, the Sheriff and members of the public were in attendance. One of the issues discussed
related to tickets issued in the past couple of weeks to people who violated traffic rules.
City Engineer/Public Works Director Richard Chiu provided a presentation on the Fremont Road
bike lane project. He explained the process for the project and noted that staff expects to have
documents from the consultant next week; at that time staff will meet with Council and residents
to discuss details of the project limits. He added that the Town has already secured approximately
$850,000 in grant funding.
Council discussion ensued.
o Verbal Update on Lehigh Quarry Public Information Forum
Councilmember Waldeck announced that June 6 has been set for a moderated public forum;
beginning at 6 p.m. Planning Director Pedro added that a town wide postcard notice will be sent
out by the end of the week.
11. Verbal Report on 2011-12 Budget Study Session Open Items (Staff. N. Pegueros)
3 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 19,2011
Finance Director Nick Pegueros introduced the item. He reported on the cost benefit related to
the Public Works Compaction Roller. Cost to purchase a new Roller is estimated at $35,000 with
useful life of about 20 years; Rental of the Roller was also considered. Another item discussed at
the Study Session was the Sewer Asset Management System which would be in three phases at a
total cost of$85,000. The System would be used to manage the Capital Improvement Program
and provide a better understanding of the sewer system.
Mayor Pro Tem Larsen questioned potential costs involved with training and personnel. Public
Works Director Chiu explained that one of the systems staff looked at runs off the Auto Cad
Engine, which is familiar to the Town staff. The Engineering group would initially use the
system.
Pegueros discussed,the cost recovery for the Parks and Recreation Facilities, which are broken up
into three components: Purissima Park (Little League field and riding ring); Westwind Barn
Boarding operation; and the Barn facility. A transfer is necessary from the General Fund in order
to balance the Parks and Recreation Facilities budget. He will bring a report to the Council in
June regarding parking citation revenue.
Council discussion ensued. Pegueros provided an explanation of costs related to the boarding
operation and income for the year-round riding program. He also provided information on field
use fees. Councilmember Mordo pointed out that the water bill at the Little League field was
increasing. City Manager Cahill responded that the staff did an analysis of putting in a well; the
estimated cost is $200,000, and the water would have a high saline content which would have to
be mixed with regular water.
Councilmember Radford questioned how the unusually large amount of water required at
Purissima was handled. Councilmember Waldeck explained that residents pay a six-tier rate
structure, according to usage.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT
12. Notification of Planning Commission Approval, Lands of Thrun, 13 818 Page Mill Road;
File #257-10-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 5,026 square foot
new residence with a 4,916 square foot basement and 780 square foot swimming pool
(maximum height: 24 feet). The applicant requests a Grading Policy Exception to cut up to
eleven (11) feet for the driveway and permission to remove four (4) heritage oak trees.
CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a)(Staff: D. Pedro)
Planning Director Debbie Pedro introduced the item. The Planning Commission voted 3-1-1
(Collins absent) in favor, with Harpootlian voting against the project because he preferred that
the walls near the garage were terraced.
Councilmember Waldeck questioned the color of the roof, which he understood was a concern of
some of the neighbors. Pedro responded that the Planning Commission extensively discussed the
exterior colors. She did not believe neighbors would be able to look down on the roof.
STAFF REPORTS
4 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 19,2011
No reports were given.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Mordo reported that the County Library Board voted to impose an $80 annual
fee for nonresidents of the Library District to get a library card. He opposed the fee and added
that proposals will be brought back to the Board for further discussion.
Councilmember Mordo also reported that the History Committee is discussing moving Stegner
Studio to an alternate location. Mayor Summit commented that Les Earnest offered to take the
initiative to put together a group of people to consider the Stegner Studio.
COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
13. Ad Hoc Fence Committee—(Councilmember, G. Waldeck)
Councilmember Waldeck explained that an Ad hoc Fence Committee has been organized, with
members from the Environmental Initiatives, Pathways, and Open Space Committees, and
members from the Planning Commission, plus two Councilmembers. Two residents attended the
meeting to express their concern about big, long fences.
14. Purissima Park Equestrian Arena—(Councilmember, G. Waldeck)
Councilmember Waldeck reported that a letter was received from Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wagner
expressing concerns about the equestrian arena at Purissima Park.
City Manager Carl Cahill explained that staff has taken note of the concerns of the equestrian
community and the nonequestrian users who use the arena for their radio controlled cars. A
notice has been posted at the site to indicate that equestrians have priority use of the arena. Staff
has spoken with the radio controlled car users who are agreeable to respect the equestrians.
Michael Wagner, resident, expressed concern about the safety of horses and liability issue if
horses get scared from the remote controlled cars. Equestrians do not think the remote controlled
cars are a compatible use in the equestrian arena.
Kathy Evans, resident, Parks and Recreation Committee member, concurred that equestrians find
the radio controlled cars not a compatible use. The cars produce noise and a gas odor that affects
the horses.
Jolon Wagner, resident, encouraged Councilmembers to ride horses to experience the situation
from the point of view of equestrians. Her recommendation was to make a change to the
ordinance.
Council discussion ensued.
A member of the public responded that the Parks and Recreation Committee has held programs
for dogs in the past. Her suggestion was to re-write the ordinance to exclude motorized vehicles.
5 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 19,2011
Cahill suggested that Council direct staff to make the change in the ordinance, which would be
reviewed by the City Attorney and brought back to the Council for review.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Radford and passed
unanimously to direct staff to propose an ordinance for usage of Purissima Arena for uses
compatible with horse use, but not exclusively for horse use.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by the consensus of the City Council
at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nick Pegueros
Acting City Clerk
The minutes of the May 19, 2011 regular City Council meeting were approved as
presented at the June 16, 2011 City Council meeting.
6 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 19,2011