HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-11-12 City Council Summary MinutesCITY
COUNCIL
MINUTES
ITEM
CITY
oMt 0
ALTO
Regular Meeting
November 12, 1985.
PAGE
Oral Communications 6 5 2 5
Item #1, Resolution of Appreciation to Rut% Wilson 6 5 2 5
Item 02, Resolution of Appreciation to Antnony 6 5 2 6
Carrasco
Item 03, Resolution of Appreciation to Linda 6 5 2 6
Ludden
item 04, Appointment of Gloria Young as City Clerk 6 5 2 7
Item #5, Presentation by Bruce Anderson, `,Town Clerk 6 5 2 8
and Chief Executive, Auckland, New Zealand
Consent Calendar 6 5 2 8
Referral _ 6 5 2 8
Action 6 5 2 9
Item 06, Fire Inspection Reporting and Evaluating 6 5 2 9
System Software Conversion
Item 07, Resolution Setting Aside Certif+cation of
EIR and Project Approval for Willow Road/Sand Hill
Extension
6 5 2 9
Item #8, City Employees' Health Plan and Dental 6 5 2 9
Plan Revisions
Item 09, PUBLIC HEARING: Extension of Citywide 6 5 2 9
Moratorium on Issuance of Demolition Permits and
Building Permits for New Home Construction on
Substandard Lots in R-1 District
Item 010, Agreement for General. Bond Counsel.
Services - Regional Water quality Control P1 ant and
Sewer Rehabilitation Program
Item #11, Development Restriction for Singh 6 5 3 1
Family Residences on Ross Road and DeAnza School
Sites
Adjournment to Closed Session re Litigation
Final Adjournment: 8:28 p.m
6 5 3 0
6 5 3 1
6 5 3 1
6 5 2 4
11/12/85
Reyut ar Meeting
November 12, 1985
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the
Council Chambers, 250 Hamilton Avenue, at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT Bechtel (arrived at 7:35 p.m.) Cobb, Fletcher,
Klein, Levy, Renzel , Sutori us , Witherspoon,
Woolley
Mayor Levy announced the need for a Closed Session re Litigation
to discuss Stanley T. Lesser, as Trustee for Lion Capital Group v.
Albion City School District, et al.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1. Bob Moss, 4010 Orme, congratulated the winners of the recent,
bitter, hard fought, closely contested election, wished all of
them well and Godspeed. He was sure they would be able to
bind up the wounds opened during the recent campaign and move
onward and upward. The main reason he was there that evening
was to make a few comments on behalf of the citizens of Palo
Alto. He took it upon himself to thank the retiring City
Cl erk, Ann Tanner for more than a decade of outstanding and
dedicated service. He was jumping the gun by about a week on
the City Council which was why:. he came down that evening. He
worked witti Ann as a member of the public for more than 10
years and really appreciated her competence, ability,
dedication, good humor, and abil ity to cleverly conceal from
the Counc il the fact th t she was the one who actual ly ran the
City, not them. He .bel ieved all would join him in saying they
would very much miss her, her talents, charm, and ability, He
was glad she was moving onto something she felt was better for
her, but he was afraid it was going to be w rse for• the City
in that they woul d miss her , but they had , very fortunately,
an able repl acement in Gloria Young and he was al so del ighted
the City. was able to fill the position with somebody who was
so able and so capable and who had an opportunity to work with
Ann and with the public so wel l . Ann was going to be a very
hard act to follow. He believed Gloria would do a good job,
but they would nii ss Am:. He hoped the people understood and
recognized all she did for the community. There was not much
they could do to repay her for her dedication, her concern,
he►• very, very intense feeling for the community and for the
people of Palo Al to.
Mayor , Levy thanked ter. I1oss and said that those were sentiments
with ►hich the Council concurred most whol eheartedly.
ITEM #1, RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO RUTH WILSON
Mayor Levy said that Ruth Wilson had served the City of Palo Alto
as a member of the Historic Resources Board from January 1, ,1984
tc September 5, 1985 giving unselfishly of her time, talents; and
knowledge of historic preservation to assist in the protection',
enhancement, perpetuation, and ease of buildings and neighborhoods
of historic and architectural significance which contribute to the
aesthetic:'_. benefit of Palo Alto. She made a significant personal
contribution to the community through her diligent and
conscientious efforts as a member of the Board, and the Council
recognized and thanked her for that outstanding public service.
MOTION: Mayer Levy coved, seconded by Cobb, to adopt the
Resolution honoring Roth Wilton,
b 5 2.5
11/12/8!
MOf ION CONTINUED
RESOLUTION 6441 entitled 'RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY Or -7110 ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO RUT)
WILSON FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE
HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD"
MOTION PASSED unanimously.
ITEM 02, RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO ANTHONY CARRASCO
Mayor Levy said that Anthony Carrasco had served the City of Palo
Alto as a member of the Architectural Review Board (ARB) from
April 5, 1982 to September 30, 1985 during which time he had given
unsel fi\shly of his time and talents to assist in guiding growth
apo development of the City in the best interest of the total com-
munity and had made a significant personal contribution to the
community through his diligent and conscientious efforts as a mem-
ber of the ARB. The City expressed its gratitude for those ser-
vices.
MOTION: Mayor Levy moved, seconded by Sutorius, to adopt the
Resolution honoring Anthony Carrasco.
LESOLUTION 6442 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
Tit ail or PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO ANTHONY
CARRASCO FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF
THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD"
Councilrrember Suto: ius added that it was his very great privilege
to have joined the ARB when Tony Carrasco was staff support for
the Board, so ce considered that his orientation and tutelage was
all at the leadership and with 5reat benefit from Tony personally.
It was a pleasure to see Tony move into the private arena and his
skills certainly continued to be recognized through successful
personal profession, and it was marvelous he served on the ARB.
While the Resolution quite accurately cited the many contributions
Tony made to the community, it would take add i clonal pages to
include the many ad hoc committees and personal efforts he expend-
ed considerable time on his own away from his profession with good
grace and great talent. He was very pleased to be present to par-
ticipate in the Resolu'.,ion.
MOTION PASSCMM unanimously.
Mayor Levy presented a copy of the Resolution to Mr. Carrasco
together with a framed certificate given to members of the ARB in
appreciation of the service ne provided unselfishly to the commun-
ity.
Mr. Carrasco said it was a pleasure serving the community, and he
enjoyed every meeting he attended.
ITEM 03., RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO LINDA, LUDDEN
Mayor Levy said that. Linda Ludden had served the City of Palo Alto
as a member of the Architectural Review. Board (ARB) from October
1, 1979 to September; 30, 1985. She had given unselfishly of her
time and talents to assist in guiding growth and development of
the City in the best interest of the total community and horde a
significant personal contribution to the community through her
diligent and conscientious efforts es a member of the ARB. There-
fore, the City ei shed to recognize that service end record t'e.s
appreciations
MOTION: Mayor ttrvy moved, setoaded by Cobb, to adopt the
Resolution honoring Linda ;Amides,
6 S 2 6
11/12/$6
MOTION CONTINUED
RESOLUTION 6443 entitled "RESOLUTM OF THE COUNCIL OF
TCITY )FALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO LINDA
LUDDEN FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD"
Councilmember Sutorius again approached that item with mixed feel-
ings because he had the privilege of being a colleague of Linda
Ludden's on the ARB and 'appreciated her service and contribution.
Personally, he was going to miss it. What he recalled most about
Linda's participation was, that if there was one person on the ARB
who was considered its conscience, it was Linda. She was able to
provide constructive criticism in a way that the recipient was
well instructed but never offended and kept pressure on with
respect to matters not specifically within ARB authority but
important to raise to the attention of the Planning Commission,
staff, and Council regarding the growth consequences exhibited by
development as she and her colleagues perceived. it. He would miss
Linda in her active service and thanked her.
MOTION PASSED unanimously.
Mayor Levypresented to Ms. Ludden a copy of the Resolution and a
framed certificate in appreciation of her services on the Archi-
tectural Review Board (ARB).
Ms. Ludden thanked all members of the Council for her initial
appointment and support of the ARB over the several years she
served on it, which had always been a great help.
ITEM #4, APPOINTMENT OF GLORIA YOUNG AS CITY CLERK
Mayor Levy said earlier that year City Clerk Ann Tanner Stark
announced her resignation effective after the November elections.
the City. Clerk was one of four Council -appointed officers and
among the duties of the Clerk's office was the administration of
municipal elections. Ann was appointed City Clerk in 1975 and,
over the ensuing decade, had not only served the City with great
competence but had been recogni zed for her leadership by the State
and National City Clerks' Association; as well. At the regular
Council meeting the following Monday, November 18, Council would
be taking action to suitably honor Ann for her outstanding service
to Palo Alto. During the past summer Council advertised, the open-
ing for a new City Clerk and received a large number of applica-
tions which were then carefully reviewed and evaluated. At the
conclusion of that process, the Council voted to offer the City
Clerk's position to Gloria Young. At that time it was appropriate
to formally appoint Ms. Young as City Clerk, but before doing so
some biographical comments might be in order. Ms. Young was born
in San Francisco where she attended Presentation Academy and San
Francisco City College. She had been employed by the City of Pal
Alto since 1973, serving first in the Department of Planning and
Community Environment and subsequently with the City Clerk's
Office. For the past foue years she held the position of
Assistant City Clerk during which time she assisted in running the
office and, on a number of occasions . in Ann • Tanner's absence,
served as Acting City Clerk. Thus, her competence and profession-
alism were well known to all members of that Council. Ms. Young
held certificates from the Wharton .School of the University of
Pennsylvania, the N.T.L. Training Institute in Washington, and the
International Institute Of Municipal Clerks, She was a member of
the City Clerks' Association of California and ' the International
Institute of Municipal Clerks. In 1979 Ms. Young was elected to
the Santa Clara County Board of Education. She served .:on that.
body with distinction and was currently its presiding officer.
Thus, AS Pilo Alto's City Clerk, Gloria was in the unique position
of serving in an appointed position for one public jurisdiction
while holding elected office in another. Additionally Ms. Young
was a Director of Public Television Station Mlle Channel 54, and
6 5 2 7
11/12/85
1
served on both the California, State, and National School Board
Associations. Gloria had two teenaged children and was a resident
'Of Sunnyvale. The City of Palo Alto, which had a tradition of
outstanding City Cl erks, was fortunate to have someone of Gl aria
Young's knowledge, judgment, experience, and ability to continue
that tradition._ He added that, as Mayor, he workec closely with
Gloria during that past year and had observed first-hand her effi-
ciency, sense of humor, excel 1 ence as a manager and as a diplomat.
He was personally del ighted, therefore, in accordance with Article
IV, Section I of the Municipal Charter to move that Council
appoint Gloria Young City Clerk of the City of Palo Alto.
MOTION: Mayor Levy moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Cobb, to
appoint Gloria Young. as City Clerk.
MOTION PASSED unanimously
Mayor Levy congratulated Ms. Young, who was present with her .fam-
ily, and said that Council looked forward very much to continuing
to work with her in the future.
ITEM 05, PRESENTATION BY BRUCE ANDERSON, TOWN CLERK AND CHIEF
EX tUTIVE, AUCKLAND, N it, ZEALAND
Mayor Levy said that Bruce had been with the City on an exchange
program that would see Palo Alto's City Manager, Bill Zaner, going
to Auckland to see first-hand the City government of that commu-
nity. It had been a pl easure to have Bruce in Palo Al to the past
several weeks,
Mr. Anderson brought greetings from the Auckland City Council,
Auckl and, New Teal and. Auck1 and, as they probably knew, was a
maritime city with a regional population of about 800,000. The
Auckland City Council controlled the downtown area and surrounding
residential suburbs with a population of about 150,000. As back-
ground which might be of interest, he said the Aucki and City Coun-
cil had 21 councilme►abers and the Mayor was elected on an at large
basis. However, the responsibility for the various functions was
delegated largely to committees and subcommittees who carried out
the major burden of work. The full Council met once a month to
deal with policy issues and some fupctions which coul r,: not be
delegated. He believed some of Palo` Alto's staff member a would
prefer to see that brought in quickly in Palo Alto, He was grate-
ful to Palo Alto's Council and City Manager for hosting him for
the two-week visit to Palo Atlo. He assured them he would be
taking back with him to Auckland some of the successful practices
in operation there to see if they could be applied;- He presented
to the Mayor and Councilmembers as a token of appreciation of him -
sal f and also indirectly the Council , a mounted copy of the crest
of the City of Auckland which, briefly speaking, had two kiwis on
the sides --the bird variety, not the fruit--an'd in the center a
crest "which highlighted agriculture, industry, and the sea. He
believed all were characteristics well-known to this area. With
the crest, vas a small pamphlet the Cauncilmembers might care to
study which gave more of the historical background to the awarding
of the crest.
Mayor -Levy thanked Mr. Anderson very much. The crest was greatly
appreciated and would have a place of prominence in the community.
He hoped , on Mr. laver' s return ; visit , that he could return in
kind some token of Pal o Alto's appreciation as well as a memory of
the community.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Referral
None
6 5 2 8
11/12/85
1
Action
ITEM 06 FIRE INSPECTION REPORTING AND EVALUATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE
OiI ti V RS!ON (CMR:584:5)
Staff recommends that Council:
1. Award the contract for computer program service for the
City of Palo Alto to Diether Roth Associates and author-
ize the Mayor to execute a contract in the amount of
$15,000.
2. Authorize staff to execute change orders to this contract
up to the amount of $2,300.
AGREEMENT
Diether Roth Associates
ITEM 0 7, RESOLUTION SETTING ASIDE CERTIFICATION OF EIR AND
PROJECT APPROVAL FOR WILL
RESOLUTION 6444 entitled 'RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
TitE CI -T( OF 1Ai.O ALTO SETTING ASIDE CERTIFICATION OF THE
EIR AND PROJECT APPROVAL FOR WILLOW ROAD/SAND HILL
EXTENSION PURSUANT TO THE PEREMPTORY WRIT OF MANDATE IN
CIVIL CASE NO. 560274"
ITEM 08, CITY EMPLOYEES` HEALTH PLAN AND DENTAL PLAN REVISIONS
TCMR:589:5)
Staff recommends that Council approve the revised City Employees'
Health Plan dated November 12, 1985 and the proposed revision in
the Dental Plan dated November 12, 1985. This action will incor-
porate revisions previously approved as part of various employee
agreements and update plans for technical purposes. The Health
Plan cost containment" provisions identified in staff report
(CMR:589: 5) will be implemented by employee group according to
memoranda of agreement and other selection and approval of pro-
vider agreement. All other revisions become effective immediate -
1
y.
MOTION: Councilaember Sutorius moved, seconded by Witherspoon,
approval of the Coas;Lnt Calendar.
MOTION PASSED unanimously.
ITEM 09 PUBLIC HEARING: EXTENSION OF CITY-WIDE MORATORIUM ON
I3TUANCE OF DEMOLITION P€R*1TS AND BUICTT4T-TERIMS FOR NtW HOMr
CONSTRUCTION ON SUBS AND R L S N FIE R -I DISTRICT (CMR:59 :5)
Mayor Levy declared the Public Hearing open. Receiving no
requests from the public to speak, he decl ared the Public Hearing
closed.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Cobb moved, seconded by Sutorivs, to. >>7,rove
the, staff recommendation ti adopt the ordinance, including the
environmental findings, .extending the moratorium on issuance of
demolition permits and building permits, for new home construction
on substandard R-1 lots, for three months. to March 31, 1986.
ORUISANCE fON FIRST REAPING entitled "ORDINANCE OF YHE
edUNCI : 0 THE cln _.. : ALTO AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.
3637 TO EXTEKD THE MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF
DEMOLITION AND-PUILDING PERMITS FOR SUBSTANDARD LOTS IN
R-1 DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF PALO ALTO.
6 5 2 9
11/12/85
Cowieilmember- Wuul1ey said she was voting against the motion as
she did when it first came to Council. She cl eri fled that she was
not at all opposed to the study or to some changes, but did not
believe the magnitude of the problem warranted a moratorium and
therefore felt Council could go ahead with that study and changes
without putting a moratorium, on the City.
Mayor Levy said although he voted against the original moratorium
he intended to vote at that time for its continuance in the inter-
est of continuity. He hoped the City would move quickly and found.
himsel f very much in agreement wi th the obj ectives Council had'
that the moratorium encompassed in trying to change and clarify
some of the building restrictions and zoning requirements for sub-
standard R-1 lots.
NOTION PASSED by a vote or 8-1, Woolley voting "no."
ITEM 0101 AGREEMENT FOR GENERAL BOND COUNSFL SERVICES - REGIONAL
WAT R QUALI1 CONTROL PLANT AND SEWER REHABILTTATlON PROGRAM
Councilmember Renzel asked at what point Council was going to see
Site and Design on that project. It seemed like all the prelimin-
aries were done with Site and Design last when there was absolute-
ly no flexibility for it. What was staff's plan in terms of Coun-
cil h;eving meaningful input on the Site and Design review.
City Manager Bill Zaner repl led that, assuming the bonds were sold
and the City had financing for the project, the proj' ct would move
through the City procese. for Site and Design in early 1986.
Counc 1l member Renzel expressed concern that the City determined
the amounts of money and other items before a project was deter-
mined.
Mr. Laver said the City was sizing the bond issue, which was nor-
mal.- The City knew from the engineers approximately what the cost
of the project was, and the design work was subject to all the
nermal City approvals and went through the regular Site and Design
process. The City would not run it through the process if the
financing was not available.
Counc 11 member Sutorius said his question for staff was not about
the agreement for the bond counsel services but the tuning of
going after the bonds. He appreciated that came to the forefront
hecause of not just the need itself but also a concern about pend-
ing tax legislation and the potential it was very important to
have those bonds in place prior to December 31, 1985. Was toe
City fast -tracking but with an opportunity to move off that track
if Council saw that a more • favorable economic climate existed
after December 31 and if, as he perceived it, there was no legis-
ation that negatively affected that particular issue by that
particular consortium of cities and without a retroactive date to
January 1, 1986,
Mr. Zaner replied yes. ° The City built an off -ramp into the proc-
ess so that if it appeared the Federal 1 eg i sl ation would ,, not
affect the City, they= would then revert to a more normal schedul-
ing. The last comment made by Councilmember Sutorius was very
sianificant. Ali the information the City had at that point was
that, whatever legislation came out of the Federal government would
probably be retroactive..., If that remained true for the next few
weeks, the City would stay on the course it was on because it
would need to get out before December iii or January 1. If that
looked like it was changing, along with literally dozens and doz-
ens of other cities across the country, the City could get off
that fast -track, and go back to a more normal process.
NOTION: Cooaci lmeroer Bechtel aovimd s seconded by . Fletcher" to
authorize the Mayer to execute the Agreement for General Bend
Counsel Services with the firm of Jones Nall Will A White.
6 5 3 0
11/12/85
MOTION CONTINUED
AGREEMENT FOR GENERAL BOND COUNSEL SERVICES
Jones Hall Hill A White
MOTION PASSED unanimously.
ITEM #11, DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTIONS FOR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES ON
Tgr ROSS READ AND DEAR/A S AOOL SfTES (CMR:594.: 5)
Mayor. Levy clarified the staff recommendation was simply that
Council not pursue the concept of deed )estrict''ons but continue
to have the Planning Commission proceed with discussion of the new
combining district.
Director of Planning and Community Environment Ken Schreiber said
yes, that was the staff recommendation.
Mayor Levy said that was simply to drop one of the options then
before the Planning Commission, in essence.
Mr. Schreiber said that was staff's suggestion.
Mayor Levy commented it seemed pretty straightforward.
MOTION: Councitmember Bechtel moved, seconded by Klein, to
adopt the staff recommendations:
1. Direct staff to not pursue the concept of deed restric-
tions or CUR s estrict1ons for the Ross Road and De Anza
sites, and
2, Direct the Planning Commission to proceed with discussion
of a new combining district for new multi -lot subdivi-
sions on a schedule consistent with a City Council public
hearing on December 9, 1985.
Councilmember Renze) commented, dS she had when the matter was
before Council previously, that she believed it was very
shortsighted and limited of Council to deal only with the multi -
lot subdivisions. They only showed what could happen in all of
o .,r neighborhoods and Council ought to be taking a more comprehen-
sive action; but, if that was all Council was going to
do, the metnoa suggested by staff was clearly preferable to rely-
ing on private covenants to do the job.
MOTION PASSED unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION RE LITIGATION
Council adjourned to Closed Session re Litigation at 8:12 p.m,
FINAL ADJOURNMENT
Final adjournment at 8:28 p.m.
ATTEST:
APPROVED
6 5 3 1
11/12/85
As corrected,
1,i13/86