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Home My WebLink About1986-08-26 City Council Summary MinutesCITY t CITY Ccur1cIL �� oio MINUTES ":� �rH��'' ALTO Regular Meeting August 25, 1986 ITEM PAGE Minutes of July 21, 1986 Resolution of Appreciation to John Northway Resolution of Appreciation to Linda Northway 2-A (Old 3). Resolution of Appreciation to Virgil Carter 4. Award of Contract for Continuing Consultant Services Phase II for Upgrading the Telephone and Data Communications System 5, Agreement for Stanford University/City of Palo Alto Express Bus Demonstration Project 6, Consultant Services Contract for Municipal Service Center Master Plan 7. Acquisition of Bell Savings & Loan Site - 100 California Avenue .- Extension of Close of 5scrow Deadline S. Planning Commission Recommendation re Site and Design Application of Richard Murray Associates for: Property Located at 714 Los Trancos Woods Road 7 5 8 7 7 5 8 7 7 5 8 8 7 5 8 9 7 5 9 0 7 5 9 1 7 5 9 1 7 5 9 1 7 5 9 2 9. Compensation Plan for Management, Confidential 7 5 9 2 and Hourly Employees 10. Ordinance re Zoning Ordinance Changes 11, Ordinance re Transient Occupancy Tax 12, PUBLIC MEARINOs Planning Commission and Architectural Review Board Recommendation re Application of Hal Long for Modification of Planned Community District 3182 for Property Located at 744 Ramona . Street 7 5.9 2 7 5 9 3 7 5 9 3 7 5 8 5 8/25/86 ITEM PAGE 13. Finance and Public Works Committee 7 5 9 4 Recommendation re Negotiations with Price Waterhouse 14. Report from Council Legislative Committee 15. Arastradero Preserve Operations Recess from 9:50 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Adjournment at 12:20 a.m. 7 6 2 9 7 5 9 5 7 6 0 2 7 5 8 6 8/25/86 Regular Meeting Monday, August 25, 1986 he City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the ouncil Chambers, 250 Hamilton Avenue, at 7:35 p.m. PRESENT: Bechtel, Fletcher, Klein, Levy, Patitucci (arrived at 7:40 p.m.), Renzel, Sutorius, Woolley ABSENT: Cobb Vice Mayor Woolley said a Special Meeting to Interview Historic Resources Board Candidates was held at 6:50 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. MINUTES OF JULY 21, 1986 MOTION: Councilmeaber Sutorius moved, seconded by Fletcher, approval of the !Minutes of July 21, 1986, as submitted. MOTION PASSED unanimously, Cobb, Patitucci absent. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY NOTION: Council ember Sutorius moved, seconded by Woolley, to bring forward Item 3 to become Item 2-A. MOTION PASSED unanimously, Cobb absent. 1. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO JOHN NORTHWAY (COU 5-4) Vice Mayor Woolley said John Northway was special because he had not only served and continued to serve Palo Alto in many capacities but also provided perceptive leadership with a gentle but firm hand. MOTION! CouDCilmember Sutorius moved, seconded by Klein, approval of the resolution. aXSO4UTI. t 6149 entitled °RESOLUTION OF THE. COUNCIL OF fil,1 CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO JOHN moramt FOR OUTSTA D PUBLIC SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF " t:.. PLRm COMISSION. Councilmei ber Sutorius said in addition to the items included in the resolution, Mr. Northway took a leadership role in the sensitive and controversial Seismic Hazards Citizens Committee process. Throughhis leadership and efforts the City was better, and there was a fair understanding on the part of property owners, 7 5 8 7 8/25/86 tenants in buildings, and the safety officers of the City regarding the recently -adopted seismic ordinances. John was a friend and a colleague on the Architectural Review Board (ARB) and the Planning Commission, and he valued greatly the .tutelage he received and the support the City received. It was with difficulty he gave up the idea of getting an ordinance passed to remove the nepotism concerns in the regulations which did not permit the City to have the direct services of John after his marriage. He was pleased that John continued to accept other City services. Vice Mayor Woolley said John Worthway served the City of Palo Alto as a member of the Planning Commission from August 2,-1982 to May 3, 1986, previously as an ARB member from October, 1976, to February, 1982 and had been an active member of the Planning Commission by serving as Vice Chairman and as a member of various subcommittees. He unselfishly contributed his architectural knowledge and experience to Commission deliberations and assisted the Commission in articulating its position on the many design issues -it considered, and continued to contribute his experience and talents through his personal contributions to the City. John Northway's devotions to the betterment of the community was further acknowledged by his recent appointment to serve on the Committee on Downtown Design and Amenities, whose charge was to create an incentive category for developments that would improve design of and increase the amenities in the downtown area, and his significant personal contributions were made in the, interest of guiding the physical development of the community while striving to maintain important social values. The City of Palo Alto wished to acknowledge and thank John for his personal pride in the community and his significant personal efforts and endless hours of devotion both as a member of the Planning Commissionand the ARB, and the .Council of the City of Palo Alto gratefully recorded and extended its sincere appreciation and the appreciation of the community to John Ncrthway for his faithful and excellent service rendered to the City. NOTION PASSED unanimously, Cobb absent. Mr.-- Northway said it was a special honor and thrill to serve the public in one's home town. The people were the reason the community worked so well, and his associations with Councilmembers, his colleagues on the Planning Commission and the ARS, and the excellent staff would be greatly missed. 2. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO LINDA NORTHWAY (COU 5-9) NOTION, Coumeilmember Bechtel moved, seconded by Levy, approval of the r,.olutton. 7 5 8 .8 8./25/86 1 MOTION CONTINUED 1 RESOLUTION 6550 ent-itled °RESOLUJTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO LINDA NORTHNAY FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD" Vice Mayor Woolley worked with Linda Northway as Council liaison to the Historic Resources Board (HRB) . She was a delight to work with, listened well, thought independently, and offered her sug- gestions diplomatically. Linda made conscientious efforts to keep up with the rapidly -changing preservation law at both the State and Federal levels by joining advocacy groups and attending con- ferences. Ms. Northway served the City of Palo Alto as a member of the HRB from June 1, 1984, to August 1, 1986 and gave unselfishly of her time, -talents, and knowledge of historic pres- ervation to assist in the protection, enhancement, perpetuation, and use of buildings in neighborhoods of historic and architec- tural significance, which contributed to the cultural and aesthetic benefit of Palo Alto. She made a significant personal contribution to the community through her diligent and conscien- tious efforts as a member of the HRB. The City of Palo Alto recognized the service of Linda Northway, and the Council of the City of Palo Alto gratefully recorded its appreciation, as well as the appreciation of the citizens of the community, for outstanding public service rendered by Linda Northway. NOTION PASSED unanimously, Cobb absent. Ms. Northway said it was a privilege working on the HRB_ not only to learn about the City's historic properties and to learn from the people on the committee, but also to understand and appreciate all the work done by the Council for the benefit of the City. 2-i. (OLD #3)1 RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO VIRGIL, CARTER IOU 5-2) MOTIONS Councilsewber Levy moved, seconded by Bechtel, approval of the resolution. RESOLUTION 6551 entitled `RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO VIRGIL CARTER FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AS A KERBER or THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD" Councilmember Sutorius said additional services of special interest regarding - Virgil Carter's service on the Architectural Review Board (ARB) included his creative, innovative approach to 7 5 8 9 8/25/86. bring architectural students from the University of California at San Luis Obispo into the City, of Palo Alto. On two successive years, architectural students visited the City, took assignments to produce ideas for beautification, improvements in traffic cir- culation. and the visual appearance and workability of the .City. Because of Mr. Carter's reputation and professionalism, he moved through the chairs in the State chapter of the American Institute of Architects and succeeded to the presidency, which bore testi- mony to his qualifications, dedication to his ►profession, and the. skill with which he practiced it. Another activity indicative of Virgil's spirit and soul was his decision to go to Mexico City immediately after the earthquake to assist, understand and evalu- ate the forces of earthquakes in a larger city ane what could be learned and applied to local codes and regulations. Council wished Mr. Carter well in his new venture. Vice Mayor Woolley said Virgil Carter served the City► of Palo Alto as a member -of the. ARB from September 27, 1982 to September 1, 1986, and served as Chairman and Vice -Chairman during his tenure. He gave unselfishly of -his time, talents, and professional abili- ties to assist in guiding the growth and development of the City in the best interests of the total community, and made a signifi- cant personal contribution to the cornmua ty through his diligent and conscientious efforts as a member of the ARB. The City of Palo Alto recognized the services of Virgil Carter, and the Council of the City of Palo Alto recorded its appreciation, as well as the appreciation of the citizens of the community, for outstanding public service rendered by Virgil Carter. The resolu- tion would be forwarded to Mr. Carter who was in Oklahoma. MOTION PASSED unanimously( Cobb absent. CONSENT CALENDAR Action NOTION: Counc i lmember Klein moved( seconded by Fletcher( approval of the Consent .Calendar 14-11( with 13 removed by. Sutorius to become 12-A. 4. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CONTINUING CONSULTANT SERVICES PHASE II FOR UPGRADING THE TELEPHONE AND DATA COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FIN 9-1) (CMR:436:6) Staff recommends that Council: Authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement with the firm of Brandon Interscience, Incorporated in an amount not to exceed •$31,727 for assistance in Phase II of upgrading the City's telephone and data communications system. 7 5 9 0 8/25/86 o Authorize staff to execute change orders to the agreement ..or an amount not to exceed $1,600 for unanticipated work or changes in the work efforts as required by the City. AWARD OF CONTRACT Brandon Interscience, Inc. 5. AGREEMENT FOR STANFORD UNIVERSITY/CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESS BUS DEMONSTRATION PROJECT (PLA 10/PLA 4) (CMR:449:6) Staff recommends that Council authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement with Stanford University. REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT FOR BUS SHUTTLE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT Stanford Univeraity 6. CONSULTANT SERVICES CONTRACT FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICE CENTER MASTER PLAN (PWK 7) (CMR:451:6) Staff recommends that Council: Authorize the Mayor to execute the Consultant Services Agreement with Singer and Hodges, Inc., in the amount of $18,200, for the preparation of a Master Plan for the Municipal Service Center. o Authorize staff to execute change orders to the agreement in an amount not to exceed $1,800 AGREEMENT Singer and Hodges, Inc. 7. ACQUISITION OF BELL SAVINGS AND LOAN -SITE 100 CALIFORNIA AVENUE' -- EXTENSION OF CLOSE, OF ESCROW DEADLINE (PWK 6-2-10) (CMR:448:6) Staff recommends that Council authorize the Mayor to execute the Amendment 11 to the Agreement of Sale extending the close of escrow 30 days to September 23, 1986. AMEMDMENT #1 TO THE AGREEMENT OF SALE BETWEEN BELL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION AND THE CITT OF PALO ALTO 7 5.9 1 8/25/86 8. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RE SITE AND DESIGN APPLICATION OF RICHARD MURRAY ASSOCIATES TO CONSTRUCT A LAP POOL AND MODIFY FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING.,, TOPOGRAPHYt ACCESS AND PARKING ORIENTATION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 714 LOS TRANCOS WOODS ROAD (PLA 3-1) The Planning Commission unanimously recommends approval of the site and design application of Richard Murray Associates to construct a lap pool and modify front yard landscaping, topography, access, and parking orientation for property located at 714 Los Trancos Woods Road. 9. COMPENSATION PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT! CONFIDENTIA _ AND HOURLY EMPLOYEES (PER 2-1) (CMR:456:6) Staff recommends that Council approve the resolutions adopting compensation plans for Management and Council Appointees, Confidential personnel and Hourly employees effective beginning with the pay period including July 1, 1986, and for terms as indicated. Funding for amending these plans has been included in the 1986-87 budgets RESOLUTION 6552 entitled "RESOLUTION OF TUE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO aDOPr1NG A COMPENSATION PLAN FOR HOURLY PERSONNEL AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 6418" RESOLUTION 6553 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO ADOPTING A COMPENSATION PLAN FOR CONFIDENTIAL PERSONNEL AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 6417" RESOLUTION 6554 untitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO 'ADOPTING A COMPENSATION PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND COUNCIL APPOINTED OFFICERS AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 6422, AND RESOLUTION N0. 6416 AS AMENDED BY RESOLUTION NO. 6491" 10. ORDINANCE RE ZONING ORDINANCE CHANGES (2nd Reading) (PLA 3-8) ORDINANCE 3703 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING TITLE 18 . (ZONING CODE) REGARDIUG DEFINITION OF GROSS FLOOR AREA, PROJECTIONS, GRADE, AND DAYLIGHT PLANE, RN -5 DISTRICT REGULATIONS, AND LANDSCAPING IN PARKING FACILITIES AND .REQUIRED LANDSCAPED AREAS" (let Reeding 8/11/86, PASSED 7-9, Sutorius, Woolley absent) 7=5 9 2 8/25/8ff 11. ORDINANCE RE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX (2nd Reading) (FIN 4) ORDINANCE 3704 entitled *ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING CHAPTER 2.33. OF TITLE 2. OF THE PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL CODE. RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX" (1st Reading 8/4/86, PASSED 8-0, Patitucci absent) MOTION PASSED unanimously, Cobb absent. 12. PUBLIC HEARING: PLANNING COMMISSION AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD RECOMMENDATION RE APPLICATION OF HAL LONG FOR MODIFICA- TION OF PLANNED COMMUNITY DISTRICT 3182 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 744 RAMONA STREET (PLA 3-1) (CMR:447:6) Vice Mayor Woolley declared the public hearing open. Receiving no requests from the public to spcak, she declared the public hearing closed. EO.IC,w: councilaember Bechtel moved, seconded by F1etOler, to approve the Planning Commission recommendation for .approval, with conditions, of the application to modify PC District 31$2, to re-establish approval for three residential . condoaeinivea:` units above a commercial parking structure for property located at .744 Ramona Street, and adopting the, Planned Community rezoning ordinance, which includes appropriate zoning and environaental findings. Conditions: a. Prior to finalizing construction drawings, the developer shall submit final_ drainage piens and calculations for review and approval by a Public Works/Engineering Department. b. All work done within the public right-of-way shard be subject to the issuance of a street opening pewit from the Public Works/Engineering Department. c. In addition to meeting the requirements of Title 24,. the project shall meet either of the following: (i) If individual ratter heaters are used in each unit, stubb-in solar pre -plumbing shall be installed in accordance with City of Palo Alto solar pre -plumbing specifications to facilitate they future installation of solar water heating. (ii) <If a center water heater is used, a solar water heating system sized to provide at least 50 percent of the domestic water heating energy requirements shall be installed. 7 5 9 3 8/25/86 MOTION CONTINUED d. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall.. be installed. e. No construction activities or storage of materials shall be permitted in the public right-of-way, including parking areas and the sidewalks. fe The developer shall remove the existing street trees on Ramona Street at the property frontage and plant new street trees in accordance with the Parks Department's specifications. g. Landscaping shall be installed in accordance with the approved plan and shall be maintained and replaced, as necessary, to assure normal growth, health and groomed appearance. The developer: shall install a handicapped ramp at the north-- west corner of Homer and Ramona. ORDINANCE FOR FIRST READING entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING SECTION 18.08.040 OF THE PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL CODE (THE ZONING MAP) TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF PC DISTRICT 3182: FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 744 RAMONA► STREET' Councilmember Renzel it was a mistake to sites. She opined dense. would not support the motion. She believed divide a planned community zone among several the project was poorly designed and overly MOTION PASSED by a vote of 7-1, Renzel voting 'ono,' Cobb absent. 13. FINANCE AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE PECOMMENDATXON TO PROCEED WITH NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FIRST RANKED FIRM, PRICE WATERHOUSE AND TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE -SECOND RANKED FIRM, AMERICAN APPRAISAL, IN THE EVENS' AN AGREEMENT IS NOT REACHED WITH THE FIRST RANKED CONSULTANT (UTI 1-8) (CMR:455:6) Councilmember Sutorius for the Finance and Public Works Committee said the consultant services were for Utilities Plant Asset Project AgrPamc?ntt with Price Waterhouse. The contract amount was $86,450, with a contingency for change orders of up to $13,000, or 15 percent. i ?OTIONt Councilmember Sutorius for the Finance and Public Works Committee moved approval of the _staff. recommendaaioa .as follows: a. Authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement with Price Waterhouse in the amount of $68450 for performance o_ f a Utility Plant Asset Project: and Authorize staff to executes change orders to the agreement of up to $13,000 (15%). CONSULTANT CONTRACT Price Waterhouse Councilmember: Levy would not support the motion because he dis- agreed with the concept of utilizing the utility enterprise methodology pricing for Paio Alto utilities. He believed the City should be more market oriented in relation to the pricing for similar services in surrounding communities. Palo Alto's citizens should be offered a lower price and better value than surrounding residents, but he believed utilizing the utility enterprise system would result in lower revenues to the City. Councilmember Renzel generally concurred with Councilmember Levy's desire to maximize revenues for the City, but understood the City was legally required to follow certain regulations with respect to a city -owned utility. City Manager Bill Zener said with regard to the electric utility pricing policy, Council was not under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) which controlled other utilities in the state. The purpose of using the enterprise method was to establish a pricing policy with logic and rationalewhich could be defended if questioned in court or by some administrative tribunal. The City was under an internal obligation to have a well -constructed and rational system for establishing rates. Councilmember Sutorius said the study was to assure the City had the appropriate accounting processes and documentation to ensure an accurate understanding of depreciation and capitalization of plant units in service. NOTION PASSED by a vote of 7-1, Levy voting no, Cobb absent, 14. REPORT FROM COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE (LEG 4) (CMR:453tb Counciimember Pletcher said the Legislative Committee reviewed State Propositions 53 through 65, scheduled for the November ballot. 7 5 9 5 8/25/86 NOTION: Councilawber Fletcher moved, seconded -fy Klein, approval of the Council Legislative Committee recommendation as follows: a. upport Propositions 53, 55, 56 and_5J; and b. Oppose Propositions 58, 61, 62 and 64 Vice Mayor Woolley said the motion would be voted on like the Consent Calendar. If a Councilmember wanted to remove a Proposition from the motion, it should be done. Councilmeaber Levy removed proposition 58 from the motion. Steve Preminger, Political Director for Service Employees Local 715, 180 E. Gish *2, San Jose, urged that Council oppose Proposition 61 and adopt the resolution. Proposition 61 qualified by misleading,- people ._ who signed the petition. It was said that Proposition 61 would cut outrageous pensions and save the taxpayers money. Proposition 57 set limits to 16 constitutional officers who received pensions. Proposition 61 would cost public jurisdictions approximately $7,000,000,000 to pay off the accrued sick leave and vacation pay held by public employees. Bob doss, 4010 Orme, spoke on behalf of the Barron Park Association (BPA), and said the Barron Park area was heavily impacted by spills of toxic and carcinogenic materials. It was inappropriate for the Palo Alto City Council to go on record sup- porting those creating the problem and opposing thinner to protect the health and safety of its citizens. The BPA believed it was unlikely.. the City $ould be adversely affected by the passage of the proposition. He did not believe the initiative went fax enough because the list of carcinogenia materials was not as extensive as it should be. It only applied to carcinogens, and while many materials were not carcinogenic, they were toxic and hazardous. The BPA urged Council endorse Proposition 65 to protect the health and safety of the people of California and Palo Alto. Tony Spitaleri, Palo Alto Firefighters Union, urged Council oppose Proposition 61. The proposition would have a devastating effect on all public employees and the Fare Department. He offered assistance to help defeat Proposition 61. MOTION PASSED unanimously, Cobb absent. MOTION' Councilmember Fletcher moved, seconded by Klein, to adopt Resolution r• Proposition 61. RESOLUTION 6555 entitled °RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF TEE C TY OF PALO ALTO IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSITION 61, TEE GANN PAY LIMITATION INITIATIVE' Vice Mayor Woolley said WHEREAS clauses 8, 9 and 10 in the pro- posed resolution attached to CMR:453:6 were not contained in Mayor Cobb's proposed resolution. In Mayor Cobb's proposed resolution, WHEREASES 7 and 9 did not appear in the resolution attached to CMR:453:6. She believed WHEREASES 8, 9 and 10 in the staff report were important and made the resolution stronger. Of the two addi- tional WHEREAS clauses in Mayor Cobb.'s resolution, the last one was worthwhile to add to the staff's resolution. ANENDME$Tz Vice Mayor Woolley moved, seconded by Renzel, to add the following additional WHEREAS Claus• e °WHEREA€, the so-called 'California Fair Pay' Initiative could actually result in higher not lower, pensions for lore already highly -compensated former pvL'lic officials." Councilmember Renzel asked abort WHEREAS No. 7 in Mayor Cobb resolution. MAKER AND SECOND OF MOTION AGREED TO INCORPORATE THE AMENDMENT AND THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL WHEREAS CLAUSE INTO THE MAIN MOTION: "WHEREAS, the concept of • tablishing the governor's salary as a single . salary standard and top public salary in the state is inappropriate and unworkable." Councilmember Klein said Proposition 61 was so bad he wanted to focus on the disastrous effect it would have on any local govern- ment in the State of California. Its chance of passing was scary, which was why the Legislative Committee directed there be a separate resolution on the item. He urged everyone do everything possible to see that Proposition 61 was defeated. Councilmember Levy agreed with Councilmember Klein. If Proposition 61 passed in Palo Alto, City Councilmembers would not be affected. While he could not .speak to other communities and jurisdictions, Palo Alto .employed over 700 people and was a multi million dollar enterprise of service to more than 50,000 residents who worked and shopped in Palo Alto. The City of Palo Alto had to compete with other businesses of similar size and when individuals determined whether to work for the City of Palo Alto, they did not. often make the distinction about whether it was a private enter -- prise versus a public enterprise, but looked at what the job offered in terms of its present and future. If the future of 7 5 9 7 8/25/86 Palo Alto City employees was restricted to levels far below what they would receive for similar a endeavor and responsibility out- side of the public sector, the City would be limited to inferior individuals to serve the public. It would be unwise for Palo Alto to adopt Proposition 61. Councilmember Klein said the proposition limited total compensa- tion of City employees to no more than $64,000. Another provision forbade the carry-over of sick leave and vacation time from one year to the next. The proposition discriminated against those who worked in the public sector as opposed to those who worked in the private sector who could carry over sick leave from one year to the next. Councilmember Renzel concurred with Councilmembers Levy and Klein. It was difficult to compete with private industry in recruiting new staff members because sometimes the positions were unique and nationwide searches were required. People coming to, Palo Alto were disadvantaged in the housing marketplace and the City needed to be able to offer a good future and be able to compete with private industry. The functions of government were important and Palo Alto had exemplary public servants. It was important to defeat the measure. Councilmember Bechtel concurred with her colleagues relating to the effects on City employees. She referred to the contracting provisions of the proposition and said when the City was sued, an attorney frequently was more expensive than $75 per hour. The City contracted with outside counsel on occasion and was success- ful in defending itself against some of the lawsuits and thereby saving taxpayers millions of dollars. If the City was unable to afford to hire outside counsel when necessary, it would be in a difficult situation. Palo Alto had excellent in-house attorneys, but sometimes the City needed additional expertise. The con- tracting provision of the proposition would also be disastrous. She urged defeat of Proposition 61. NOTION PASSED unasimously, Cobb absent. Councilmember Levy removed Proposition 58 from the original motion because he was unfamiliar with the complete language. He under- stood both sides of the issue and preferred to not take a posi- tion. The constitutional amendment would allow property to be transferred between parents and children without causing a reassessment for property taxes. Opposition would keep property taxes unduly low and reduce the income to the . City. In Palo. Alto 7 5 9 8 8/25/86 As corrected 10/6/86 the price of housing escalated dramatically and many people were concerned that children would be unable to afford to live in Palo Alto. He was also concerned and wanted to be able to help children stay in Palo Alto. If Proposition 58 provided a minor way to help, it might be worth considering. Due to his ambiva- lence, he preferred to not take a position. Councilmember Patitucci said the Council Legislative Committee believed it should oppose the proposition because there was nothing to prohibit an owner of property in Palo Alto from con- tinuing to own the property and renting it at favorable rates to their children, and federal legislation made it a workable arrangement by a variety of methods. Proposition 13 could end up being slowly mitigated through special kinds of provisions, and next door neighbors could receive the same City services but because someone lived in a house for 30 years and passed it on to their children, they later might pay $600 or $700 per year in property taxes and a new homeowner had to pay $3,000 per year in property taxes. Such inequities did not end up with different services. Councilmember Sutorius asked why no position was proposed on Proposition 60. He shared Councilmember Levy's concerns and appreciated Councilmember Patitucci's explanation, but there eeemed to be an inconsistency as it applied to the recommendation on Proposition 60. Councilmember Fletcher said no position was taken pending receipt of information from the League of California Cities. She did not see why age 55 was the magic number, but did not object to the proposition applying to elderly people. She did not consider 55 to be elderly. Councilmember Klein said the Committee chose to study the proposi- tion further and hear from the League. It would be back on the agenda at a later time. NOTION* Councilmember Fletcher moved, seconded by Klein, app oval of the Council Legislative Committee recommendation to oppose Proposition 5S, MOVED* PASSED by a vote of 6--1-'l, Patitucci voting 'no, • Levy *abstaining,' Cobb absent. Councilmember Fletcher said Proposition 54 was the $500 million prison construction bond issue. She consistently opposed such legislation because constantly expanding the number of prisons to house prisoners suggested a revolving door without rehabilitation, training, and an attempt to get the prisoners out of their criminal cycle. A real crunch in prison space might make someone do something about rehabilitation as opposed to constant incar- ceration. The Committee, however, supported Proposition 54. 7 5 9 9 8/25/86 NOTION: Councilmember Fletcher moved, seconded by Klein, to support Proposition 54. Councilmember Renzel sympathized with Councilmember Fletcher's concern about the continuing increase in prison population and the lack of rehabilitation facilities. It was difficult to improve rehabilitation with inadequate and overcrowded facilities. She hoped new prisons would emphasize rehabilitation more than some of the older prisons. She hoped for a positive atmosphere for rehabilitation in new prisons which would ultimately reduce the prison population. MOTION PASSED by a vote of 7-1, Fletcher voting "no,' Cobb absent. Councilmember Fletcher said the Committee voted to, support Proposition 63 which would declare English the official language of California. She voted against the Committee's position and preferred to take no position because shedid not believe there would be any impact in Palo Alto. NOTION: Councilmember . Fletcher moved, seconded by Klein, support Proposition 63. Councilmember Bechtel did not believe Council should support the initiative because in terms of demographics, English speaking people might be in the minority before too long and the proposi- tion was inappropriate for California. She opposed the motion. Councilmember Renzel agreed with Councilmember Bechtel. Many California citizens were learning English, but were not fluent. Such a proposition deprived people from participating fully, and it was important for Council to not support Proposition 63. Councilmember Klein supported Proposition 63. Regarding California's demographics and whether at some point in the future the majority of Californians might be native Spanish speaking, he believed such rationale should support Proposition 63. Two quasi -official languages was historically shown . to be a bad idea. Virtually every country in the world with a dual language system had trouble between the two ethnic groups. He did not want it for California, and he supported Proposition 63. Councilmember Renzel spoke regarding the need to help fe;ople who spoke a language other than English and- he agreed. Proposition 63 did not outlaw bilingual education, but English should remainthe language of the State and efforts to create a totally bilingual society were not consistent with the Constitution. California was not the first state t� consider such a proposition --seven states had such laws. He believed the principle would serve the country well. 7 6 0 0 8/25/86 v Councilmember Patitucci said his grandparents came to the United States from Italy and had difficulty assimilating into the culture because of language problems. Generations who had to learn English adjusted better to the culture. He hoped to encourage dual language options in schools and communities. One needed to embrace the culture in which they lived or lose out economically, socially and otherwise. It was important to make English the official language of California through the Constitution. Mr. Preminger urged Council to oppose Proposition 63. California was the gateway to the Pacific and many languages were spoken. He was concerned about Proposition 63 being used to do away with bilingual education and important interpreting services provided by public services. Californians should be proud of their multi- cultural state and try to benefit from its diversity. He was con- cerned about emphasizing English to the exclusion of the other languages and was concerned Proposition 63 might do it. He urged opposition. NOTION PASSED by a vote of 5-'3, &enzel. Bechtel, Fletcher voting "no,' Cobb zbsent. MOTION TO CONTINUE:. Councilmember Klein moved, seconded by kenzel, to continue consideration of Proposition 65 to September 22. 1986 City Council meeting. Councilmember Klein said he received calls that afternoon from Ted Smith toL the Toxics Coalition, Carl Pope of the Sierra Club, and Mike BelIview of Citizens for a Better Environment all stating they wished to tes :ify before the Council because they disagreed with the City staff report, but could not attend that night's meeting, September 22, 1986 wasthe soonest date they could all testify. Counciimembor Fletcher supported the continuance. Herb Borock, 2731 Byron Street., said the League of California Cities had not yet acted on the Proposition, and he queried the timing of the League of California Cities convention. Vice Mayor Woolley said the League of California Cities" convention- was not until October, and if Council took a position on September 22, there would be no problem. Mr. Zaner said the League's policy Committee often took positions on legislative matters and reported out. There was always the opportunity for any member organization, i.e., the City of Pais Alto, to raise an issue from the floor or raise or support an issue from the floor. 7 6 0'1 8/25/86 MOTION PASSED unanimously,, Cobb absent. 15. ARASTRADERO PRESERVE OPERATIONS (PAR 2-23) (CMR:426:6) City Manager Bill Zaner said Council instructed the citizens com- mittee to "create a low: intensity and minimal cost park with emphasis on natural and open space amenities of the land and sen- sitivity to the fragile foothills ecology. Uses :planned for the park should not duplicate those provided''in urban neighborhood or regional parks.." The Committee's recommendations, which were adopted by the Council, included returning the land to its natural state as. much as possible with protective plantings, implementing the trail -system which included access to regional trails, reducing pasture land to a minimum over a five-year period, maintaining the barn as a self-supporting stable facility through the use of a lease or a concessionaire arrangement, converting the large housing to a youth hostel, creating the primary access to the property from the proposed Arastradero Road parking lot while using John Marthens Lane as access for the stable and hostel, protecting and maintaining the park with the use of two full-time rangers, dedicating as parkland the 71 acres on the north side of Arastradero Road, and decreasing the cost of construction of trails through the use of volunteer labor. The staff report dealt with problems encountered while implementing improvements at the Arastradero Preserve: (1) John Marthens Lane; (2) the rangers; (3) the hostel; and (4) the stable. He urged Council adopt the recommendations if it wished to continue with existing policies. Councilmember Bechtel commended staff for an excellent report. She referred to the resident ranger and asked for clarification of the provisions of the revised Fair Labor Standards Act which affected the position as well as the Public Employees Retirement System and income tax ratifications. Director of Personnel Jay Rounds said in preparing to implement Council directive for a resident ranger on the property, staff intended to enter into a rental agreement with the ranger. How- ever, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, it was not possible to enter into a rental agreement when an employee lived in employer premises by requirement of the job. The value of the rental, therefore, must be stated in terms of base pay and used in addi- tion to salary for creating a basis upon which overtime was calcu- lated. The Fair. Labor Standards Act had rigorous rules for valuing what the rental would be. It could relate to the fair market value, but only the real costs incurred by the employer. For the City of Palo Alto, it was limited to things. like utility costs, repairs, depreciation and would not reflect the true market value of the rental. An inequity would exist because the City was unable to fully value the property in terms of the employee's com- pensation and yet it was required to do so by the Fair Labor Standards Act. 7 6 0 2 8/25/86 The City was also required to pay the employee for each hour that any work was dope at all. If rounds had to be made in the evening to check the property to lock gates, etc'. , it would be valued as overtime. Staff worked through an enabling formula, but the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) valued salary dif- ferently, and credit for rental could not be taken as part of the base pay. In order to .me.et Fair Labor Standards Act requirements, the City had to cut the hourly rate way down and value the rental. In doing so, the retirement credits were destroyed because PERS would only credit the base salary and not include the rentals. There were tax ramifications because any rental was not income or taxable under the income tax laws either tor federal or state. It was difficult to administer the situation, it created inequities with other employees who for one reason or another might have to fill in and cover from time to time, but yet would not have the advantage of the situation. Many staff hours were spent in an attempt to resolve the problems, but as yet it was unresolved. Councilmember Bechtel asked what was involved in the $85,000 improvement to John Marthens Lane. 1 1 Chief Transportation Official Marvin Overway said the $85,000 improvements were intended to make the existing situation as safe as possible without any -major changes to the environment. It included signage delineators around the curves, trimming trees, guardrails at selected locations, cape sealing the unpaved portion of the roadway, and some widened area around some of the sharp curves before entering them so that if a car was met or one was seen coming, one could pull off to the side without having to pass in the narrowness of the curve. He did not suspect any significant impact on the trees or vegetation in the area. Councilmember Bechtel clarified trees would be trimmed not cut down entirely. Mr. Overway clarified trees would ire trimmed to increase visibility around the curves. Councilmember Klein said recommendation No. 2 stated the City would make payment of the $85,000 in improvements to John Marthens Lne a requirement for parties other than Palo Alto. He assumed the statement referred to the stables and the hostel, and asked about the allocation of expenses. Mr. Zaner said the stables and hostel were the only two parties presently authorized to make use of the property. Mr. Overway said if nothing was done, it would ccst about $6,000 in terms of signage just making what was there reasonably more safe. If the stable area were expanded to itsplanned expansion, it would require about $70,000 worth of .improvements because of 7 6 0 3 8/25/86 the additional traffic.. The only real saving was the cape seal which was a $15,000 item. If Council closed the stable and only had the hostel, the $28,000 improvement was considered satis- factory because of the 'signif'ican,t reduction .in traffic. If both wore open, there was the etable increment plus the hostel. Councilmember Klein said if the stable and hostel were open and it cost $85,000 for the improvements, he asked about a suggested allocation. Mr. Overway said one basis for allocating costs was the stable would contribute about 70 trips and the hostel would contribute about 30 trips. Councilmember Sutorius referred to page 1 of CMR:426:6, the second paragraph under John Marthens Lane. The second sentence. read, "The five neighboring property owners are currently using the City -owned road to access their property; however, it appears that several of them have some rights to its use." He asked the sentence was purposely vague. City Attorney Diane Northway said staff was working with the titee company to sort out some of the complexities having to do with the various deeding structures. With respect to at least one of the properties, staff did not believe any right of way or easement to use the road was deeded. Staff did not believe it was a major issue but did not want to say all of the properties had rights to use the road because it was not clear whether one of the deeds granted the right of way to use John Marthens Lane. Councilmember Sutorius asked about Fire Department concerns. Mr. Zaner said the Fire Chief indicated in previous reports he was satisfied there was adequate fire service on John Marthens Lane as long as the plan. for continued use of the building included the appropriate sprinkler systems. The Fire Chief also indicated alternate access would be suitable for fire vehicles if it were made available so both roads were available. Both statements were well documented. Councilmember Sutorius asked whether consideration was given to the concept of a security function being incorporated if a revised Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued on the stable management subject. Staff indicated providing the residence might be incorporated in the RFP and be an important economic incentive in receiving responsible bidders. If the approach were worthwhile, he wanted to assure the City got, full value from the residence and it seemed there might be the potential for combination services to be performed under such a contract. 7 6 0 4 8/25/86 Mr. Rounds udid with regard to the Fair Labor Standards Act, the City would have to avoid anything which might look like the City was attempting to enter into a contractual relationship to avoid an employment relationship. He did not believe it would be a problem if they were talking only about the residence and its security inasmuch as a renter would have some responsibility for the security of a residence that he or she might rent. If secu- rity referred to the entire parcel --fences and other problems -- there might be some difficulties in finding the combination of qualifications in a potential contractor to cover it. Councilmember Sutorius said the. City presently had ranger con- tracts. Mr. Zaner said the City had contractual arrangements for rangers for example at the Baylands, but they were not living in any City pLoperties. Councilmember Sutorius referred to the point that entering into a contract was seen as a way to inappropriately avoid a Fair Labor Standards Act condition. He did not understand why it would be the case if the contract had to do with managing the stable opera- tions and simultaneously performing security duties within the park: Mr. Rounds said the problem under the Fair Labor Standards Act was where someone was required to live in a residence as a job requirement. With regard to contracts for ranger services, the City could enter into contracts with companies or .enterprises which provided services and the company or enterprise had to meet whatever Fair Labor Standards Act requirements were applicable to them. It might be an individual with whom the City contracted who set him or herself up as an independent contractor for purposes of the Internal Revenue Services, and the City could enter into a contract on that basis. In those situations, the City would not be able to have an employee or enter into a contract for purposes of avoiding an employment situation where living in a particular residence would be required as part of the arrangement. Mr. Zaner said Council's existing policy was there shall be live- in rangers on the property. The recommendation from the committee suggested there be people who lived on the property as rangers and Council adopted the policy. If the policy were changed by Council, staff might be able to move in the direction of a pure contract as was done in the Baylands. Councilmember Sutorius referred to John Marthens Lane and asked for a ball park figure to understand how much of the costs were associated with the paved portion of the route and how much were associated with the present graved. 7 6 0 5 8/25/86 Director of Public Works Dave Adams said the current paved portion of John Marthens Lane would be about $216,000, and the section on the Arastra property would be about $160,000. Councilmember Sutorius clarified the estimate included the contingency. Mr. Adams said that was correct. Soil samples were not taken and a detailed survey was not made. CouncilmemlJer Patitucci said the land was purchased for $7.5 million, and unlike the Foothills property where land was donated and the City had some options, the City was trying to get the most out of its investment for the community. It seemed the overall tenor of the staff report was that the study which was done to look at what to do with the land came up with some well inten- tioned recommendations, but the combination of recommendations and reality did not work. The idea of combining a hostel, a barn situation for horses, and a ranger station did not work so another combination was needed. He asked if property use could be limited to Palo Alto citizens. Ms. Northway believed the justification for limiting usage in Foothills Park would not apply to the subject property. Councilmember Patitucci asked how many horses were boarded at the stables and how many belonged to Palo Alto residents. Manager of Real Property Bill Feliman said 33 rently at the stable. Councilmember Patitucci clarified the situation was such that the City operated a service for basically non Palo Alto residents. He asked how many, people would use a hostel on any given day. Mr. Overway said 20 to 30 people. Councilmember Patitucci asked about the value of the house if it were given about one and one-half acres of land and sold. Mr. Overway estimated about $750,000. Councilmember Patitucci believed the property could be sold for $1,000,000 to $2,000,000, and the .City could recover 20 percentof the investment if the house was sold. It might be appropriate to get an appraisal of the property and have the citizens of Palo Alto decide if they wanted to invest a. million -dollar property in a hostel operation for 20 or 30 non -Palo Alto residents per day. The investment was sizable and should be looked at seriously. The same applied to the stables.. He noticed there was a private 7 6 0 6 8/25/86 1 0 f property presently surrounded by the Arastra property and asked if it was possible to 3e11 property and give the City easements for right of way, trails, etc. Ms. Northway said certainly when property was sold an easement could always be held back, but the first step would be to remove the property from park dedication. Councilmember Patitucci said that step required a vote of the people, so the people in Palo Alto could decide whether they wanted to sell the house for $1.5 million or keep it. Ms. Northway clarified the process for park dedication removal was somewhat different from the normal process for putting a measure on the ballot, but could be done. In the first instance, Council would determine whether or not the matter could be placed on the ballot and would go through a procedure to overrule protests and to give a lengthy notice. Councilmember Patitucci clarified ied the procedure would take a vote of the public after going through Council. Ms. Northway said yes. Councilmember Renzel said in regard to the possible use of the house near the stable for a resident ranger, if Council did not require that as a condition of employment but rather made that a ranger had usable quarters if he chose as a residence, would the City be subject to FLSA regulations. Mr. Rounds said if a ranger station was not a residential facility, the City would not have the FLSA problem, but if rangers were allowed to stay overnight then the issue arose again. Councilmember Renzel asked if the facility ran afoul of the park dedication ordinance if residence was an option rather than a requirement. Ms. Northway said no, because the facility would be similar to a fire station where people rotated in and out of the facility as opposed to someone using it as a principal residence at the City's insistence. Councilmember Renzel asked if the City considered using the same house as a base for fire protection, as in Foothills Park, as opposed to •a ranger station per se. Mr. Adams said no, and the question of the ranger would require increased staff to have somebody there constantly on a rotating basis. 7 6 0 7 8/25/86 Councilmember Renzel asked, since the youth hostel was principally a nighttime location and somebody would be living there, whether a security function could be attached to the contract as well reporting fires or vandals on•the property. Ms. Northway said staff could make those functions part of the agreement. Councilmember Renzel asked if the security function could substi- tute for the kinds of functions a resident ranger might provide. Ms. Northway did not believe so. The City was looking for a more affirmative presence from a resident ranger who would be trained in that area. Mr. Zaner said a ranger would be expected to patrol the stableand house area as well as the 500 -acre parcel. The City would be reluctant to delegate personnel At the hostel to assume that kind of responsibility, especially at night. Councilmember Renzel asked if a resident ranger would be expected to patrol the property at night. Mr. Zaner said if the City knew of difficulties in the evening, it might want increased ranger patrol. Councilmember Renzel asked if in the absence of the youth hostel, house, and barn, staff would shut off the continuation of John Marthens Lane --to vehicle access except for emergency vehicles. Mr. Overway said John Marthens Lane would become a service road only for maintenance of the open space, and unless staff got instructions otherwise would be left as such. Councilmember Renzel clarified essentially the park would be pedestrian -access with the exception of the horse trail. zc. Overway said that was correct, the main access would still be the parking lot on Arastradero Road. Councilmember Renzel did not understand the major concern about safety. People did not travel fast on such a a road. She was curious why the small amount of traffic was considered so burden- some. Mr. Overway said regardless of whether traffic increased, certain measures should be taken to make the road as safe as possible. The improvements might cause a less severe accident or prevent an accident. The City was simply taking measures to make an existing situation as safe as possible within;; limited resources. 7 6 0 .9 8/25/86 Mr. Adams said approximately $18,000. Vice Mayor Woolley asked the approximate cost to contract out for a ranger patrol service. Mr. Adams said it depended on what was required. If the City asked the service to make periodic patrols seven nights a week, all night, the estimate was $10,000 a month. The cost could range from something far .less up to $].0,000 a month. Vice Mayor Woolley asked, regarding the traffic counts, whether. staff included trips by current residents of the house the City rented. Mr. Adams said yes. Vice Mayor Woolley asked if 12 trips could be subtracted from the 20 to 30 trips for the hostel because there would not be a rental if the hostel was there. Mr. Overway said the projection of trips for the hostel did not include or subtract those trips. Vice Mayor Woolley asked about the specifics of the reduction of the capital improvement staff suggested in a subsequent RFP to be issued for the stable. The fencing of the riding ring was men- tioned as not needing to be done immediately. She asked what other items would be eliminated. Mr. Fellman said fencing the riding ring was the only item to be eliminated and was estimated at $40,000. Possibly a a secure bicycle rack would be another, but it only cost about $1,000. Vice Mayor Woolley referred to Alternative C on page 5 of the staff report (CMR:426:6) at $85,000. Earlier in the report staff spoke to the fact the County expected the road to be a minimum of 18 feet wide, but .Alternative C would not bring the road to a uniform 18 --foot width The staff report said, "...it is still unclear whether or not such improvements would be sufficient for the County to waive its rural roadway standard," . Even if council approved the $85,000 expenditure, it was unclear whether that would satisfy the County and be the final solution. Ms. Northway said the County had hot expressed whether they had the power to require the City --another governmental agency --to comply with their standards. In the reverse situation, the City looked to provisions of the Government Code to determine whether other jurisdictions with .projects in Palo Alto had to comply with 7 6 1 0. 8/25/86 the City's standards, and often they did not. She believed the County could not require the City to improve the road to a certain width or standard. An issue that went beyond whether the County had the power was what standard a court would look at to deterine whether the City took reasonable steps to protect against potential harm to the public based on usage of the road and potential dangers. The court might look at what standard was applicable Lo 'die road. Vice Mayor Woolley said Alternative D meant less traffic and asked if it was in the same. situation. Ms. Northway said yes. Vice Mayor Woolley referred to Alternative E and asked how many horses were presently in the barn and whether the number was sufficient to make the operation economically feasible, assuming _ was open pasturing . phased nut., Mr. Wellman said Alternative E would reduce the number o: horses to 24, and he believed the number would make the operation economically unfeasible. Councilmember Klein asked it actual traffic counts were taken on John Marthens Lane. He clarified the traffic count must have included the people who currently lived it the house, which was not the answer he understood was given to Vice Mayor Woolley. Mr. Overway said actual traffic counts were taken on John Marthens Lane, and he intended to say the count included the present Le/Jai-its of a..+L •+vas ti a Councilmember Klein clarified the actual traffic count told how much traffic was presently on John Marthens Lane. Staff projected what might be expected if the hostel went in, i f the stable was expanded, etc. He presumed all the numbers were compared to present usage based on traffic count on John Marthens Lane. Mr. Overway said additional trips attributable to the hostel in the report were 20 to 30 and 10 attributable to the stable, for a total of 30 to 40. Councilmember Klein asked if there was a subtraction to take into account the fact there would no longer be people living in the house. Mr. Overway said the adjustment was not included in the recorded traffic counts and was not compensated for in the projection of the future counts. 7 6 1 1 8/25/86 Councilmember Klein asked if it was reasonable to subtract out a number to make the additional trips 25 to 30 or 20 to 25. Mr. Overway said yes, depending upon how many trips were attributable to the people living there at the present time. COUNCIL RECESSED FROM 9:50 p.m TO 20:00 p.m. Dr. Thomas Clewe, 1450 Oak Creek Drive, spoke in support of the establishment of a youth hostel and commended the Council on its supportive policies. He made a video presentation. Councilmember Fletcher asked Dr. Clewe to briefly describe his experience riding his bicycle up the road. Dr. Clewe said as a cyclist he corroborated Councilmember Renzel's observation that in spite of the technical comments, the road appeared quite usable. He encountered no traffic. Barbara Tatum, 4144 -24th Street, San Francisco, was Acting Executive Director of American Youth Hostels (AYH). A year ago, agreements were reached on lease negotiations for the hostel in the Arastra Preserve, and AYH embarked on a fund raising campaign to make the hostel a reality. The accepted term were to invest funds, estimated in the range of $100,000 to $120,000, to upgrade the house for public use. The Board of Directors of American Youth Hostels set aside $20,000 in seed funding for the project, and established a committee of local citizens to raise the remaining $80,000. Over the past nine months, the Committee did the leg work necessary to accomplish the large goal. Their efforts were generously supported. She passed out a list of nearly 200 people who contributed to the project (on file in the City Clerk's office). The AYH answered Council's concerns about the hostel's operation and modified their plans wherever possible to address those concerns. Council was flexible and granted work- able conditions for the operation of the hostel. She believed Council recognized the value of the project to the community. AYH's commitment and enthusiasm grew over the year from the abundant support given by many individuals, many of whom were in the Palo Alto area. AYH appreciated that Council, wanted to act in the best interests of public safety. AYH's commitment to safety was demonstrated by their acceptance of limited vehicular access. A resident manager would be in the hostel to provide some measure of security in that area of the park, and would be concerned about the environment and do extra things to make the site secure, attractive, and enjoyable. In addition, AYH would spend up to $64,500 for fire sprinklers. ,reservations would be required for people arriving by car, and AYH would do everything possible to keep the commitment of no more of 20 trips per day on the road. She hoped Council would continue to help make the hostel a viable possibility. 7 6 1 2 8/25/86 Vice Mayor Woolley asked what the maximum number of guests was at the hostel. Ms. Tatum said the present estimate w°s 25. Vice Mayor. Woolley clarified by taking reservations AYH hoped to ensure two or more people came in a car. Ms. Tatum said that was generally the case. Vice Mayor Woolley clarified the staff estimate of 20 to 30 trips was to allow some trips by the permanent residents of the hostel. Ted Carlstrom, 1556 Webster Street, was counsel for residents of John Marthens Lane. They were grateful for the staff report and for the meetings between staff, the residents, and their repre- sentatives to discuss issues sensitive to the residents concerning civil liability. A number of amplifications and technical correc- tions were needed to the report, e.g. the implication or expressed statement on page 1 of the report that the paved section of the road was owned by the City of Palo Alto. He opined and advised the residents along the road that the paved section of the road was co -owned by the residents by deed right tracing back to John_ Marthens himself. It was particularly true of the chain of title that went from John Marthens to Ernie Arbuckle and all those under that series of deeds. That was traceable. Even if the residents along the road were to have their rights defined in terms of ease- ments rather than as co-ownersr a good deal of what would be concluded would not be different. One concern of co -owners of roads was that property which the public was invited to cross over be maintained in accordance with public standards. The pertinent public standard for the road and right-of-way was established by Santa Clara County and was also established by the average number of trips per day. According to the staff report, average daily trips for the road exceeded 100. The standard for such a road in the County was that the road must be 20 feet wide and there lust be 4 -foot shoulders. It did not explicitly include. any reference to pedestrian access, bicycle use, etc. Those were the standards which the home owners and people who lived along the lane who were co -owners of the .road sought to enforce and expected the City could want to observe at the minimum. The primary capital cost of paving the road was traceable directly to the home owners along the road. They disputed the statement in the report that the County standard was 18 feet` wide and believed the dispute should be settled by the County. The County standard raised the issue of the relationship between the co -owners inthe road, which included the .City of Palo Alto, that the standards for roads should not result in overburdening of what was commonly owned between them. If the City imposed uses on the road which exceeded what was reasonable, i.e. exceeded a published public standard, the 7 6 1 3 8/25/86 property rights of the co -owners were violated. If that occurred, there was a danger to pufi.Aic as well as private safety and perhaps to environmental issues as well as to the property rights involved. They believed Alternative C did not take into account the full costs of the alternative. One of the costs would be the construction of turnouts. The legal right° -of -way was 20 feet in width. He read from a letter from Dianne McKenna which said, "The City's proposed project appears to be a commercial use which would considerably increase the number of vehicles using John Marthens Lane and create a traffic problem on the narrow, residential road. Additionally, this area is a high risk fire area and issomewhat removed from the immediate emergency response. The project will introduce people and activities into this rural neighborhood which will increase the risk of fire. In view of these risks and the concerns raised by the residents along John Marthens Lane, I would suggest the City consult with the County as required by the California Environmental Quality Act prior to any lease or other action authorizing the proposed development of this property. A thorough environmental review is, I believe, in the best interests of the entire community." They were prepared to cooperate with the City but wanted to see those principles faithfully observed. Ray Hoslere 304 O'Connor Street, Menlo Park, worked at Palo Alto Bicycles. He reiterated that an AYH facility provided a place for people to stay who could not afford more expensive accommodations. He suggested Council approve the hostel and if problems arose in the future, changes could be made. He asked about the length of the year and whether the hostel could be removed. Councilmember Sutorius asked if Mr. Hosier had accessed the site by bicycle up the road in question.. Mr. Hosier said he had been up to the site twice and there was no traffic. The road was no different from others in San Mateo and Santa Clara County. He rode on dirt roads in the Santa Cruz mountains all the time, and the subject road was a pleasure. For the average person using the AYH facility, 90 percent of the people . would have no problem on the road even in its present condition. Artemas Ginzton, 28014 Na toma, Los Altos Hills, supported the youth hostel. The response was so enthusiastic in the community and the Golden Gate Council would probably never be offered another house with the potential or in as good a •condition as the house at the end of John Marthens Lane. The strength of the proj- ect was indicated by contributions of $60,000 to be used to change the house from a private residence to a public facility. In.addi- tion, the Golden Gate Council had the $20,000 from the hostel development fund which would be added once $80,000 was reached. AYH believed Council should not sign a lease without knowing whether it could be implemented. AYH was in a position to implement a lease and could proceed to go out for bids. In respcnse to a question from the Planning Commission on May 4, 1984, regarding the adequacy of John Marthens Lane for fire protection and its adequacy for fire vehicle access, Fire Chief Wall found the existing road adequate to support a fire vehicle in all weather conditions and believed the roadway to be acceptable given the proposed interior fire sprinklers for the residence. She showed pictures of the road taken in two directions. Paul Reimer, 6 Arastradero Road, expressed appreciation to the nine property owners on John Marthens Lane who were present and to Mr. Zaner for meeting with them and expressing his views on the issue. In regard to the staff report, he was pleased the defi- ciencies on the roadway were defined. Since the contemplated operation was commercial in nature, it had ramifications that con- tinued beyond the use originally intended for the road for resi- dential purposes. Even with limited stable operation, traffic on the gravel portion of the road doubled since 1984 by the City's counts. The prevailing County standard related to the average daily traffic were clear and could not be accommodated within the 20 -foot right-of-way the City controlled over a major part of the roadway. The recommendation for the $85,000 "band -aid" solution was not in the best interests of the Ci.ty's property owners or the operators of the contemplated lease activities. There was no defense for a substandard road when public traffic was encouraged. If access was going to be on John Marthens Lane, the residents believed $375,000 was the appropriate alternative. The internal route was an important alternative. He did not believe Alternative C included the cost of graveling the additional alter- nate access road in Fire Chief Wall's opinion that he found John Marthens Lane adequate if there was a secondary paved, graded, or graveled access. If Council considered the $85,000 "band -aid" approach, it should delay action until specific questions of County standards, involvement, and compliance with the EIR 'requirements as requested by Supervisor McKenna were be adhered to. Councilmember Renzel recalled Mr. Reimer was an advocate for the proposal to put 1,766 homes on the Arastra property. She asked what kind of use of John Marthens Lane was contemplated at that time. Mr. Reimer said John Marthens Lane was contemplated as an emergency access and the total improvement was within the 20 -foot right-of-way. 7 6 1 5 8/25/86 Alma Ostrander, 4135 Dake Avenue, lived in Palo Alto for 37 years, and read a letter which said_ the experience of the Sierra Club in operating the hikers' hut in McDonald Park demonstrated a nostel need not adversely affect neighbors. When the Chapter appeared before the San Mateo Board of Supervisors seeking permission\to construct the het, the park's adjacent property owners complained about the expected impact on their quality of life. They believed the hut would attract vandals and wandering bums, would be a haven for the drug culture, and the 'noise would be obnoxious. People would not walk or bicycle to the hut, but would bring in cars and children would overruri their property and not obey the "No Trespassing" signs. The hut had operated for ten years, was busy every weekend, and every day in the summer. The hut accommodated 12 people but groups of 30 could be accommodated if they slept outside. There had been no vandalism or drugs, and no complaints were received from the neighbors. Work parties maintained the property in cooperation with directors from the hut committee and the park rangers. The property was fully insured through the Sierra Club, paid property taxes to the County, and charged a minimum fee of $3 to $3.50 per night to its users. The guest books showed visitors from the local area, the Bay area, and many different parts of the world. The hut was open to the public, not only to Sierra Club members. All bills were paid, the hut was well maintained, and there was about $3,000 in the bank for con- tingencies. A hostel facility would bring a healthy recreational experience to the youth and enable them to experience a degree of independence and self-reliance under good leadership. As a life- time hosteler, she commended Council to the good character, sound values, and competence of the American Youth Hostel Association and urged Council to bring into existence a Palo Alto youth hostel. VICE MAYOR WOOLLEY ON COMPLETION OF AGENDA Vice Mayor Woolley said f16, 17, and 18 still remained. She suggested continuing the items to the following week. City Manager Bill Zaner said the only problem might be the Golden Triangle deadline for the budget amendment. He believed one or two other cities might be late getting their money to the Golden Triangle and assumed Falo Alto could do the same. mono!! Yicie Mayor Woolley moved, seconded by Klein, to contta ; 616,. Urgency Ordinance re a Morotoriva on Development Veit** tbot,City of Palo Alto for Uses not in Conformance with the Floc/ Area Ratio Policy of the Golden Triangle Task Force, #17, Golden Triangle 4 &reeaent with Santa Clara County Manufacturing Group, dad #l$, Roissist of Couacii.saber Fletcher re City Use of Recycled Paper to the Septio rr 2, 19#6 City Council Meeting. 7 6 1 6 8/25/86 Mr. Zaner said Council had a Closed Session scheduled on September 2, 1986. Councilmember Sutorius encouraged staff to do everything possible to follow up with individuals or organizations which already received a copy of the Golden Triangle staff report. It would be helpful if issues could be better understood or communicated. Mr. Zaner agreed. Councilmember Klein would like Council to postpone the decision regarding a continuance until later in the evening. Councilmember Bechtel believed the decision should not be postponed in consideration of the members of the public who were waiting for #16, MOTION PASSED unanimously, Cobb, Patitucci absent. RETURN TO #15 ARASTRA PRESERVE OPERATIONS (PAR 2-23) (CMR:426:6) Barbara Merritt, 124A Pine Street, Santa Cruz, spoke on behalf of the Arastra Citizens Advisory Committee who supported the youth hostel proposal and believed John Marthens Lane was adequate, In April, 1984, the planning staff reported the road was adequate for 27 trips a day and noted a three -fold increase would not be exces- sive for a "typical residential road in the foothills subdivi- sion." July, 1984, City Council minutes reflected Bob Brown as saying 50 trips per day was not substantial and he doubted sig- nificant widening would be necessary or that the liability presented a grave factor. The City owned John Marthens Lane in fee title, and she queried whether the same changes would be required if an individual owned the property, Regarding whether the youth hostel would increase traffic, the Council limited the hostel to 10 round trips per day plus trips of staff. In April, 1986, the unpaved portion was found to have 27 to 35 round trips per day. AYH was ready to negotiate a lease as soon as the City was. It committed to raise $100,000 in one year and it did so. She agreed with Richard Knablin who told the Planning ,.Commission the costs and cash flew were not always the way to deal with all issues. The land was not acquired with a cost-conscious decision, but turned out to be a bargain. Regarding the hostel proposals the figures were not adequate and did not reflect the use Palo Alto residents would have of the facility and they did net acknowledge that thousands of Palo Alto's residents used hostels throughout the world and were happy to Co so. 7 6 1 7 8/25/86 Loren Acton, 2913 Ramona Street, believed it was a neat oppor- tunity for the City. The .City stumbled upon the land for $7(000,000, plus and there w-,ss a good house. The City could return some of the benefits piled upon Palo Alto's children throughout the world. He believed the leaders of tomorrow were the ones who used youth hostels. The utility of the property as a hostel would clearly work out because it was backed by people who knew how to run hostels. He urged Council .approve the hostel. Susan Varian, 327 Addison, supported the, hostel, and believed the location was ideally suited. Palo Alto was a unique community, and its connection with Stanford and the rest of the international community was easy to see. The commitment on behalf of the hostel volunteers was unquestionable. She urged Council support. Bobbie Redstrom, 251 Churchill, said Palo Alto hosted people from all over the world, and in the 25 years she lived on Churchill, her family hosted students, scholars and their families from 29 countries. Most people were referred through the International Center at Stanford. Stanford University had one of the largest enrollments of international students and scholars in the United States. A philosophy of hosteling was to encourage travelers to become acquainted with people and places in other cultures. The residents of the community were not excluded from using the hostel, but most users would be from out of the area. She and her husband were welcomed in hostels through Scandinavia and were never asked if they paid taxes in the community. Regarding the advisability of the use of public property, the five hostels in the Golder* Gate Council were at Ft. Mason in San Francisco, Pt. Reyes, the Marin Headlands, Montara, and Pigeon Point Lighthouses. The newest hostel would be in the Redwood National Park near the Oregon border, Santa Clara County had a hostel a t Sanborn Park, which was a County park. During the summer months, hostels were located in high schools in Santa Cruz and in the Monterey -Carmel area all of which were public property. She urged support of the hostel on the Arastra Preserve. Larry Faber, 3127 David Avenue, said the barn took in $4,200 per month, and $1,200 was spent to pay the caretaker. The remaining $3,000 per month totaled $36,000 per year, and over a ten-year period, the barn took in $360,000. He estimated the City collected approximately one -quarter of a million dollars from the barn of which $15,000 was expended on a new roof for the barn; $20,000 for a new water system; and a few incidentals. The _City owed it to itself to put the fEinces and paddocks back to the state they were in when the land was purchased and then try to lease it. He recommended the City .consider increasing the head count to about 60 horses. The Committee recommended no pavement within the preserve, and he opposed a cape seal.. The stables were needed. Paul White, 1529-H Arastradero, resided in the subject house for three years. The residents of the house received notice which required they vacate the premises on October 31, 1986. If it was possible to :stay in the residence, he and the other residents would like to stay on a month -to -month lease. He offered rent of $2,450 per month and security for the. area. He recommended Council visit the area. Vice Mayor Woolley asked hos many residents were usually there and how many cars. - Mr. White said six people presently lived at the house, and each had one car. Councilmember Menzel asked how often people were going the other way on those trips. Mr. White said it was common to greet others who used the area. In the summer, it was easy to see a vehicle going up the hill because of the dust it created. In the winter, the dust was not there and one did not know who was going up the hill. There was one blank corner which was scary. Mary Gordon, 16 Roosevelt Circle, took issue with referring to the hostel as a "commercial" use, and believed it was a nonprofit quasi -residential. Such a facility would be used by youngsters traveling abroad, and she believed Palo Altans would also use the facility because there was\no other similar experience. The road safety issue should be separated and if the .present average daily trips made the road hazardous, it should be dealt with. She queried► the validity of the vehicle count, and , making such an important decision based on such little documentation. She urged support of the hostel. Councilmember Levy commended staff for their report. Recommenda- tion No. 2 was to make payment for the minimum improvements to John Marthens Lane, estimated at $85,000, a requirement for parties other than the City of Palo Alto. He asked" who the parties should be and how the funds should be allocated. Mr. Zaner said the two parties anticipated to be authorized users of the area were the Youth Hostel and the stables. There were many ways to divide the costs and the split was about 60/40. Councilmember Levy said if the costs were allocated 60/40 between the hostel and the stable, he queried whether there, would be a viable stable operation. 7 6 1 9 8/25/86 Mr. Zaner said based on the results of the previous request for proposal, he would say no. The chances of getting a concessionaire or an operator were slim. Staff needed to determine whether it was appropriate to recommend that Council spend either General Fund or moneys dedicated for roadways to the subject parcel, and that recommendation could not be made. When staff looked at the need for roadways in Palo :alto, and how expensive they were, the application of $85,000 to John Marthens Lane seemed inappropriate given the great needs elsewhere. Councilmember Bechtel did not believe the City should make the $85,000 roadway improvements, but rather should make the $28,000 improvements. The City could not expect either the stable opera- tion or the hostel to be able to raise and split the additional $85,000. She supported staff recommendations to eliminate the requirement for a -resident ranger and direct staff to pursue the Arastradero Stable Request for Proposal, which included the residence and less costly capital improvements. LOTION: Councilmember Bechtel moved, seconded by Fletcher, to adopt the staff recommendations as amended: a. Require the construction of minimum improvements to John iidttharga a+s`.tiwotiid di. $28,0474, if such improvements are acceptable to the County; Make payment for the minimum improvements to John Marthens Lane, estimated at $28,000, to be equitably split between the hostel and the stable; c. Eliminate the requirement for a resident ranger position; and d. Direct staff to pursue the Arastradero Stable Request for Proposal, which includes the residence and less costly capital improvements. Mr. Zaner said the level of improvement suggested increased the safety risk to a . level where Council should seriously consider closing the stable. It was a question of relative risk and if Council went with the $28,000 alternative, it needed to acknowledge the additional risk. Councilmember Klein appreciated the comments from the public and believed they were helpful ir, defining issues. Me.. Faber made some statements regarding the profitability of the stable, and he asked for staff's opinion. 7 6 2 0 8/25/86 Mr. Fellman said $41,000 was spent as follows: Initial improve- ment to the barn, $15,000; $6,000 to seed 77 acres; barn door replacement, $2,000; and remodeled small house, $18.500, He could not respond to ongoing expenses. Mr. Adams said ranger support would have to be continued if the stable operation was continued. Councilmember Sutorius clarified in addition to the stable manager contract of $14.000. a City employee worked at the stables from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., but otten worked beyond. Mr. Adams said part-time or seasonal people worked on the property from time -to -time, but he did not know the., schedule. A lot of Palo Al to staffeffort was required to support the stable. Councilmember Klein asked if a profit was made on the stable operation ignoring the value of the land. Mr. ;Adams said it appeared to break even, but actual figures were unavailable. Councilmember Klein said the issue was road safety and how the stable could be economical. He was concerned about the City's liability in the event of a vehicle accident, and asked if the road would be considered "safe" with the $850000 improvements assuming the traffic estimated for the stable and the hostel. Mr. Overway said the question was whether the City did what it could to make the road as safe as possible without going to normal standards. The $375,000 worth of improvements represented the standard normally applied. If the City could not go to the $375,000 level, the remaining recommendations represented the alternatives. The $85,000 would increase the level of safety to an adequate level for the present conditions. If his Son was going to use the hostel. he hoped the public group would invests the $85.000, and he would not feel his son's life was eignifi- cantly endangered beyond other normal risks in such an event. Councilmember Klein recognized the $28,000 worth of improvements implied to staff that Council would close down the stable. If the motion passed with a closure of the stables, he asked how Mr. Overway would feel about his son. ?r. Overway believed he would feelthe same as w ;h the $85,000. Councilmember Klein referred to the statement the City would make the improvements if they were acceptable to the County, and asked what happened if they were not acceptable to the County, 7 6 2 1 8/25/86 Ms. Northway did not believe the City was required to comply with the County, but just as the Palo Alto City Council would want the County to confer with it before it approved something on its prop- erty and did not have to comply with the City's codes, she believed Palo Alto would follow that type of reciprocal action with the County. She did not believe the County had the right to tell the City how to ultimately improve the road. Councilmember Klein recommended (a) say "...minimum improvements to John Marthens Lane estimated at $28,000. Such improvements shall be discussed with the County before implementatfon thereof." Ms. Lee had no problem. MAKER AND SECOND OF MOTION CHANGED THE LANGUAGE OF RECOMMENDATION (a) TO READ AS FOLLOWS: "(a) Require the construction of minimum improvements to John Marthens Lane, estimated at $28,000. Such improvements shall be discussed ;with the County before implementation thereof." Vice Mayor Woolley said Alternative "E" provided for operation of the stable "as -is' with no additional paddocks, but not the operation of the hostel, and Alternative "D" provided for opera- tion of the hostel without the stable. If the City eliminated the stable, it would eliminate about 60 trips per day whereas if the hostel was added, the City would only add a maximum of 10 to 20 trips per day. It seemed the lesser traffic generator of the two was the hostel and it would take less improvements to the road. Mr. Overway clarified Alternative "E" was meant to represent that if nothing was changed, the City should invest $6,000. Approxi- mately $19,000 of the costs associated with Alternative "D" was sealing the roadway for bicycles. If the roadway was left in its present state with the stable operating, improvements would not be necessary. Vice Mayor Woolley asked if when staff made the decision regarding Alternative "D," they considered the City would end up with less traffic' than it presently had. Mr. ©verway said yes, which wa►s why the level of improvement required was significantly reduced. 7 6 2 2 8/25/86, As corrected 10/6/86 Councilmember Fletcher opposed widening the road and to some extent paving the road because it perpetuated speed. The present road encouraged slow and careful driving and bicycling. When she went up there, it seemed the only thing needed was signage around the blind corners and possibly road\ reflectors at the edges. She did not see the need for any other improvements. If staff felt strongly regarding turnouts and guardrails, she would support it. She asked if paving would improve things for bicyclists or whether it would cause them to go down the road faster. Ray Hosier said it was the same with driving a car. The worse the condition of the road, the slower one went on a bicycle. If the, road in its present state could be hard -packed rather than chip sealed and occasionally watered down, he believed it would be safe for all cyclists. For example, Old La Honda Road on the west side of Skyline was hvrdpacked with little gravel on the upper section. Regarding blind corners, in Europe, there were large reflective mirrors which showed what was coming around the corners, Councilmember Fletcher asked whether a practical compromise might be to hard pack rather than cape seal. Mr. Adams said hard pack would have to be maintained more often, but each maintenance would be less expensive. In the long run, it was probably a toss-up. Councilmember Fletcher believed it was a safety feature to not pave the road, and she suggested staff analyze the practicality of having mirrors rather than turnouts. Councilmember Klein understood the intent of the motion was to leave in the stable operation, which was inconsistent with the staff recommendation of $28,000 worth of road improvements. If the motion were left with $28,000 worth of road improvements and the stable operation, he asked about the safety of the road. Mr. Overway opined it would be inadequate. iM WIESrI Councilmember Klein moved, seconded by Patiteccl, to delete (d) of the motion and direct staff to take necessary actions to close the stable in a timely manner and change recoa •sedation (b) to reflect the $28,000 to be paid. by the hostel. Councilmember Bechtel said if there was concern about the adequacy and iafety of the road with the hostel and stable, she preferred the City come up with some money. Some might argue them were not enough Palo Alto residents using the stable, but it seemed to her the mix could be changed so that first preference was given to Palo Alto residents for stabling horses. 7 6 2 3 8/25/86 AMENDMENT TO AMENDMENT: Councilmember Bechtel moved, seconded by Levy, to change (a) in the motion to reflect $85,000 worth of improiuwnts to the road; (b) would reflect a split of $28,000 fnc the hostel and stables and the City paying $57,000; and re -include (d) to pursue the Arastradero Stable Request for Proposal, which includes the residence and less costly ,.capital improvements, Councilmember Levy said the property was valuable, and the hostel itself had a value of about $1,000,000. With such values, the commitment of $57,000 on behalf of the City vas not that much. John Marthens Lane was steep and one went up there slowly without any shoulders on the side of the road. The gravel area was dangerous and the City owed it to the people who would use the road to make it safer. The City would make a major mistake if it did not spend $85,000 to make the road acceptable. He was ini- tially concerned about whether the hostel was the right use, but since the City. committed to the use, it needed to commit to the safety of those who would use the hostel, stable and other resi- dents of the community who used the road e The City should keep both the hostel and the stable. A major use of the property would be equestrian, and having a stable was appropriate. On an ongoing basis without too elaborate a program, the improvements could pay for themselves._. He was comfortable with the amendment to amend- ment. He urged Council support. Councilmember Renzei believed the amendment to amendment provided a more equitable way to divide the costs, but was concerned, that even with the $28,000 costs shared, the City might endanger both uses in terms of their economics. The road needed to be done before the uses were implemented, and she asked about a financing mechanism through which the groups could pay over time. Mr. Zaner said the City could enter into some type of agreement with the entities so they paid following construction of the roadway and over a period of time. Councilmember Renzel supported the amendment to amendment. She was sorry her perception of the* road being relatively safe was not shared by staff. The idea of putting lots of -2ns and stripes in such a naturally bea3uti to1. area was not her preference and she did not feel. the traffic contemplated from the two 'uses was so extraordinary as to require such significant improvements, but it was incumbent upon Council to make the improvements. Councilmember Klein said staff advised that $28,000 worth of improvements to the road and stable closure would • ijrovide for an adequately safe road. Staff also advised if the stable were left in operation with only $28,000 worth of improvements, the road would be unsafe. The amendment to amendment provided,. for $85,000 worth of improvements to keep the stable with the City paying the 7 6 2 4 8/25/86 $57,000 difference. Ten Palo Altans used the stable, and to keep them in operation, the motion would have Council lay out $57,000. He referred back to the recent budget hearings and what had to be cut out because the City did not have the money. He believed the satisfactory compromise was to spend $28,000 and keep the hostel but not the stable. Councilmember Patitucci agreed with Councilmember. Klein. If the Council was going to talk about appropriating dollars, the matter should; be referred to the Finance and Public Works (F&PW) Committee to lay the project up against some priorities for some of the human services which were turned down and some of the other projects the City did not have the money for. There was a certain degree of sanity coming up with a reasonable cost that the par- ticipants to date might be able to provide given the fund raising efforts, but to add a $60,000 subsidy to include the stable made no sense. If the amendment to amendment passed, he hoped it would be referred to the F&PW committee before being made final. Vice Mayor Woolley agreed with Cou►:cil►►gembers Patitucci and Klein, and did not see how Council could responsibly spend $57/000 for the stables even if over time only Palo Alto residents used them. The number of horses would be restricted to 25. She would not support the amendment to amendment, but did not oppose the improvements necessary for the hostel. Councilmember Sutorius found it difficult to contemplate a $57,000 subsidy, and believed Council would find itself culpable if it made such an expenditure for such a purpose. He was prepared to continue to support processes to provide for adequate safety and a hostel operation. With respect to the stables, it did not mean horses would not be on the property. They would have access to the property as they presently did. Councilmember Bechtel clarified the expenditure was one-time. The City was asked by many human service organizations to subsidize their operations year after year, but the $57,000 was not an annual subsidy, and would be spread over the lite of the road. Councilmember Renzel was persuaded the more prudent approach would be the $28,000 alternative. If the City acquired the Arastra property and it did not have a stable oh it, one probably would not have been built. Councilmember Levy said the City made a gift of an asset with a value of $1,000,000 to the Youth. Hostel for roughly 20 people per night primarily during the five ..or six months during the summer. Just because the house happened to be there did not make it any ?e s valuable. Next to the $1,000,000 value, the $57,000 was a Ama 1 aunt of money to keep the stable use which he believed was 7 6 2 5 8/25/86 appropriate for the Arastra Preserve. He hated to think that for $57.000 the City would lose a stable which presently served a small amount of residents, but which could serve many more in the future. Councilmember Renzel Said the City was not giving away an asset -- it was preserving an asset, and providing an opportunity for its citizens and people from all over the world. If the City were to sell the property for some current expenditures, the public would lose a major asset and opportunity. The property was there if the City was pinned to the mat on its budget. Vice Mayor Woolley said in terms of numbers, taking the three summer months and multiplying 90 by 20 guests, totaled 1,800, which was a sizable number of people being involved with the use of the hostel in one summer. As pointed out, most hostels in the area were on public land whereas most of the stables were private operations. It was more appropriate for the City to consider the hostel and not the stable. AMENDMENT TO AMENDMENT FAILED by a vote of 6-2, Bechtel, Levy voting "aye," Cobb absent. Co r cilmember Fletcher said hostels were used all year round. The hostel people worked hard to raise the necessary money, and she believed the City could afford half the costs of the road because it would still be City property. AMENDMENT TO AAENDR NTs Councilmember Fletcher moved, seconded by 8uto►rius; to amend (b) to reflect an equal split of the $28,000 between the City and the hostel. Councilmember Patitucci concluded that when a $1,000,000 plus investment was already made, it seemed most appropriate to chal- lenge the supporters to make a 12 percent equal contribution and have them pay for the road and not have the City put in more money. He opposed `the amendment to amendment. Councilmember Renzel believed the Arastra Preserve was a fine public asset and it was appropriate for the City to put in some funds for commonly shared facilities. There would be people who walked along the coed and enjoyed the park and, it would improve handicap access for those unable to be on regular trails. There was some basis for the City contributing a small amount. Vice Mayor Woolley said the tenant advised they paid $2,450 per month which totaled $29,400 per year, and she asked if the City spent • all that:: money or what. 7 6 2 6 8/25/86 Mr. Adams said all of the operating money came from the General - Fund budget and the money received from rent went back into the fund. He did not know how the money was accounted for. Mr. Zaner said the maintenance work had to do with the swimming pool, but other than that the City had no ongoing responsibility for maintenance and operation of the structure. The rent was revenue to the City. Vice Mayor Woolley did not object to the City paying the entire $28,000 for the road improvements on the basis that the City already generated a lot of income from the rental of the property over the years. She would not support the amendment to amend- ment. Councilmember Fletcher liked Vice Mayor Woolley's alternative better and wanted to withdraw her amendment. Councilmember. Sutorius disagreed. He believed $14,000 was a rea- sonable contribution for the City and there was a 30 percent con- tingency .associated with the estimate. There was a good likeli- hood that the true costs would be somewhat under the $28,000, and it was reasonable to split the costs. He appreciated the sincere and enthusiastic efforts of the hostel at raising funds and believed there was every reason to expect the additional $14,000 or some portion thereof was attainable. He preferred to -.not with- draw his second of the amendment to amendmeent. Councilmember Patitucci believed the youth - hostel movement was fantastic, and he participated when he was young and traveled. There should be a youth hostel in the community, but .he did not believe the City of Palo Alto should invest $1,000,000, plus $14,000 in such an operation which would not directly benefit on an ongoing day-to-day basis the people of the City of Palo Alto. He would oppose any motion to .spend anything. AMMMUMIENT TO AMEWOMINT FAIL= by a vote of 7-1, Satoriss voting *aye," Cobb absent. AMISIDNUT TO U1MiTs Vice Mayor Woolley mooed, seconded by oebtel, to amend (b) to have the City pay the entire $21#000 for road improvements. Councilmember Levy said for $29,000, the City could buy a better road and a stable, 7 6 2 7 8/25/86 Councilmember Klein said Councilmember Patitucci was correct that the City already gave the hostel probably more than any other City in the world. The City provided access to a $1,000,000 plus piece of property which was an extraordinary subsidy. In the era of limits the City was in, when people wanted to establish something like a youth hostel, members of the public had to contribute without looking to City government to take them on. An incredible number of demands were mane on the City and many were turned down. It was time to draw the line. AMENDMENT TO AMENDMENT FAILED by a vote of 4-4, Remzel, Woolley, Bechtel, Fletcher voting 'layer" Cobb absent. AMENDMENT TO AMENDMENT: Councilmember Bechtel moved, seconded by Fletcher, to change recommendation (b) to have $13,500 paid by the hostel and $14,500 paid by the City cf Pmio Alto. AMENDMENiT, TO AMENDMENT PASSED by a vote of 5-3, Patitucci, Klein, Levy voting "no, 6 Cobb absent. AMENDMENT TO AMENDMENT: Councilmember Renzel moved, seconded by Bechtel, that staff work out a system of time payment for the youth hostel portion of the road in order to pursue road construc- tion parallel with the improvements to the hostel building. AMENDMENT TO \A.MENDMENT PASSED by a vote of 6-2, Patitucci, Klein voting "no," Cobb absent. Councilmember Levy clarified the City would pave or. sea., the road up to the hostel, and the turn off which went to the stable would be in its present state. Since the road to the stable would not change, he queried whether the City could continue to operate a stable or whether the trips generated were the problem. Mr. Overway said the trip generation was the problem. AMZDME MT RE CLOSING OF STABLES PASSED by a vote of 7-1, Bechtel voting *no,' Cobb absent. Councilmember Fletcher referred to a dangerous spot in the paved road in the fora of a narrow trench. Sha asked if it could be filled without a .special motion. Mr. Adams said the trench was a ma int:;nance item and -would be handled. MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED by a vote of 7--1, Patitueci voting `no,' Cobb absent. 7 6 2 8 8/25/86 ADJOURNMENT Council adjourned at 12:20 a,m. ATTEST: APPROVED: 7 6 2 9 8/25/86