HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-03-23 City Council Summary MinutesCITY
COUNCIL
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, Marc?,; 23, 1981
ITEM
Oral Communications
Minutes of January 12, 1981
Special Orders of the Day 7 4 4
CITY
MLJ
ALTO
PAGE
7 4 3
7 A4 3
Resolution of Appreciation - Palo Alto Profes- 7 4 4
sional Parents for Art (PAPPA1
Consent Calendar - Action Items
Final Map - 320 Curtner 7 4 4
Revised 1981-82 Community Development. Block 7 4 4
Grant Application
Resolution Authorizing Destruction of Records 7 4 5
in Accordance with G.C. Sectic.a 34090
Material Recovery Program 7 4 5
Curbside Recycling Program 7 4 5
Combined Arts Agencies of Santa Clara 7 4 5
County State/Local Partnership Program
Increase in Contingency Irrigation
System Automation -'Project 79-37, 80-37 7 4 5
Ordinance re Giving of Notice for Planning .- 7 4 5
Department Applications (2nd reading)
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions 7 4 6
Public Hearing re Tentative Subdivision Map for 7 4 6
property located at 334 Cowper Street
Public Hearing re Tentative Subdivision Map for
property located at 3700 El Camino Real 7 4 8
Recommendations of Finance and Public Works : 4 9
Committee of Approval of the Arastra Property
Consultant
Planning Commission Recommendations re denial of
appeal of CIC Construction for a Use Pelrmit: and
Variance for property located at 2799 Middlefield
Road
Resolutions- re Appropriations Limitations for
Fiscal Year 1980-81
7 5 5
7 4 1
V23/81
ITEM PAGE
Resolution re Application for State Coastal
Conservancy for Grant Funds.€or Bike Path
in Baylands
7 5 6
Air Rights over Parking Lot Q to A.K, Pro- 7 5 7
perUes - Award of Option Agreement -
Report on Palo Alto Fruit Removal Program 7 6 0
Integrated Urban Insect Control Research Program 7 6 1
Letter of Agreement -• Spencer Associates, Archi- 7 6 2
tects and Planners for Additional Structural
Design Services for Phase I Improvements to the
City of Palo Alto Library
MayorHenderson re Vigil on April 5 Regarding
Atlanta Crisis
Adjournment
7 6 3
7 b' 3
J':
Regular Meeting
Monday, March 23, 1981
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in a
Regular Meeting at 7:35 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 250
Hamilton Avenue, Mayor Henderson presiding.
Present:
Bechtel, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson, Levy,
Renzel, `-'itherspoon (arrived 7.37 p.m.)
Absent: Eyeriy
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
-1. Charles 0. Bernstein, 444 Oak Court, Menlo Park, owns and
operates —a business in Palo Alto, is therefore a taxpayer
and is concerned about.the budget department in Palo Alto.
He listed an extensive budget background. He recalled
the Arts Department budget debate over the recommendation
that several positions be deleted, but after restoration
of the positions, a feeling developed that vindictiveness
would haunt the program. That happened when the sole
source "independent study" of the Arts Department staf-
fing, done by a former City employee with no background in
the arts, and the same City budget department analyst who
last year recommended the positions cut., recommended cut-
ting those same positions now, He considers the study
unprofessional, citing the study's conclusion that the
reception desk should be staffed nine hours a day,
followed by the recommendation that the position be only a
3/4 time position. He said this reflected badly on the
City and -hurts all programs involved, and that stringent
controls over consultant studies should be instituted. He
felt the whole budget department process should be looked
at and offered his services free of charge.
Correction
See Pg864
6/8/81
Mayor Henderson recommended he pursue this with the budget
hearings beginning in late April.
2. Berkley Driessal, 259 O'Conner Steet, extended an invita-
tion to the Council, as a neighbor Council, to a meeting
on Friday, March 27, of Mayors of San Mateo County hosted
:East Palo Alto to discuss often overlooked problems.
3. David Schrom, 302 College Avenue, addressed the Council on
the issue of removing trees in Palo Alto, which he said
happens all over .Palo Alto without proper replacement
policies. He also said that to maintain a stable forest
of trees, 1,000 trees should be planted each year, and
the staff .persons responsible for maintaining our trees
estimate that 'only about 2,000 trees have been planted
over 'the last decade. He wanted to see a_different policy
introduced by Council with a clear priority to plant trees
in Palo Alto at the minimum replacement rate, to guide the
staff when they prepare their budget for 1981-82.
Councilmember Fazzino said the Finance and. Public Works
Committee looked at a proposal prepared by staff rer4rding
contracting `for tree management, but made no foetal deci -:
sion on it, and it will appear at :the budget hearings in
late April. He also mentioned -there is support for the:
concept of a tree committee and discussions on that con-
cept, will occur at the budget hearings.
MINUTES OF JANUARY 12. 1981
Mayor Henderson made a correction to page 559, last paragraph
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3/23/81
5th line: "West County JPA shoTld be "North County JPA."
Councilmember Witherspoon said on page 556, 3rd paragraph from
the bottom: "abstaining" should be "abstaining."
MOTION: Vice -Mayor Fletcher moved, seconded by Fazzino that.
the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 12, 1981
be approved as corrected.
MOTION PASSED: The motion passed unanimously.
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION - Palo Alto Professional PaSents for
Mayor Henderson read the resolution of appreciation to Palo
Alto Professional Parents for Art (PAPPA),.
MOTION: Councilmember Fazzino introduced the following resolu-
tion and, seconded by Councilmember Levy, moved its approval by
Council:
RESOLUTION. NO. 5889 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIA-
TION TO PALO ALTO PROFESSIONAL PARENTS FOR ART
(PAPPA) FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO STUDENT
ART WORK TO THE CIVIC CENTER LOBBY EXHIBIT PROGRAM."
MOTION PASSED: The motion passed 8-0, Eyerly absent.
Mayor Henderson presented the plaque to Nancy Sharp, PAPPA, and
expressed Council's appreciation.
Ms. Sharp introduced Mary Stewart, one of PAFPA's teachers
Norma Hesterman who organized the exhibit, and thanked in
absentia their office manager Marilyn Smithson.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Referral Items
None
Action Items
Mayor Henderson removed Item 4, Planning Commission's _.recommen-
dation of a denial of the appeal of CIC Construction from the
decision of the Zoning Administrator for a variance at 2799
Middlefield Road.
Councilmember Witherspoon removed Itelie (2) Integrated Urban
Insect Con Research Program; (3) Additional Structural Design
Services for Main Library; and, (7) Resolution re:' Application
for Grant Funds for Baylands Bike Path.
Councilmember Levy said he would abstain on Item 11, Combined
Arts Agencies of Santa Clara County State/Local Partnership
Program, because he did not understand the, specifics of `the..
master plan that has yet to be written.
Final Map - 320 Curtner
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the final map.
Revised 19.81-82 Community.Develooment Block Grant Application
. _ nrrw -i.�.wr�...�r.wwr. mw�w�Fdw �w
1
St&Ff recommends that the:.. City Council authorize staff to
include the identified charges in the 1981-81 CDBG Program to
be submitted to HUD.
4; 4
3/23/81
Resolution Authorizing Destruction of Records in Accordance
Staff recommends that Council approve the Resolution
authorizing the destruction of miscellaneous files as
identified.
RESOLUTION 5890 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO APPROVING THE DESTRUCTION OF
CITY RECORDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 34090"
Material Recovery Program
Staff recommends that Council approve the budget amendment
which increases estimated revenues in the Refuse Budget by
$6,206 to reflect receipt of grant funds.
ORDINANCE 3271 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR 1980-81 TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE MATERIAL
RECOVERY PROGRAM ANO TO PROVIDE FOR THE RECEIPT OF
GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM"
Curbside Recycling Program
Staff recommends that Council approve the budget amendment
transferring $32,100 from the Refuse Reserve Fund for Systems
Improvements to the Refuse Budget.
ORDINANCE 32 2 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR 1980-81 TO PROVIDE FUNDS IN THE REFUSE
UTILITY OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CURBSIDE RECYCLING
PROGRAM"
Combined Arts A encies of Santa Clara County State/Local
ar° Hers p rogram
Staff recommends that Council enact the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 5891 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
CF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE
STATE/LOCAL PARTNERSHIP FOR THE ARTS"
Increase in Contingency Irrigation System Automation - Pro.iect
Staff recommends that Council approve an additional contingency
of $8,250 to the contract..with Munkdale Brothers, Inc. for pipe
-installation. Sufficient funds remain in the project to
perform this work.
Ordinance re Givin• of Notice for Planning Ile artment
�i ca ns n• rea' in
Staff -recommends that the Council adopt the recommendations _of
--the November 26, 1980 staff report plus thn Planning Commission
modifications aind additions outlined. To implement that recom-
mendation the following specific actions --are necessary:
1) Approve the attached Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision
Ordinance Amendments,
2) Approve a budget amendment. tq .prov'ide funds for
contracted clerical services estimated at 117 hours.
for the remainder of 1980-81, and
7 4 5
3/23/83.
3) Approve fee increases of $55.00 for all Planning
Division applications effective March 1, 1981.
ORDINANCE 3273 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE
COUNCIL OF - TIT- CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE
ZONING CODE (TITLE 18) AND THE SUBDIVISION CODE
(TITLE 21) OF THE PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING THE GIVING OF NOTICE FOR PLANNING
DEPARTMENT APPLICATIONS" (1st reading 3/9/81),
passed 8-0, Henderson ° absent)
MOTION: Councilmember Fazzino, seconded by Klein, moved
approve the consent calendar items,
MOTION PASSED: The motion passed 8-;', Mr. Levy abstaining
#11, Combined Arts Agencies of Santa Clara County State/Local
Partnership Program.
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
Mr. Zaner said that item 2,. Integrated Urban Insect Control
Research Program, would become 19a; item 3, Additional
Structural Design Services for Prase 1 Improvements to the City
of Palo Alto Main Library, will become 19b;- item 4, Planning
Commission's recommendation of a denial of the appeal of CIC
Construction from the decision of the Zoning Administrator for
a variance at 2799 Middlefield Road, will become 16a; and item
7, Resolution re Application for Grant Funds for Baylands Bike
Path, will become 17'.
Mayor Henderson said Ke would hold a new business item
regarding the situation in Atlanta until the end of the
meting.
PUBLIC HEARING
lEN1ATIVL SiJBfIVISION MAP FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 334 COWPER
, STRICT R1T-
Jeari McCowneHawkes representing the Planning Commission said
there wa% an additional- condition added to Commissioner
Cullen's motion that landscaping to be provided in the form of
trees along the setback on the property line between this pro-
ject and 330 Cowper Street. She added that the project gave
the Commission concern on the issue of the adequacy of guest: -
parking, as well as the effect on the preservation of the
single farni ly character of- the neighborhood. She said other
than general concerns about the landscaping and ability to have
this -project integrated into the neighborhood, tke 5-2 vote
speaks for the positi'ore of the Commission.
Mayor Henderson declared the public hearing open.
Katherine McCleary, 610 California Avenue, expressed concern
over the demolition and proposed demolition of many of the
older home s in Palo Alto, saying she was appalled at the number
of ugly structures being built in place of such irreplaceable
buildings. She asked what was keeping the Council from pre,
tecting the beauty and architectural _. heritage of the ,City as
well as the 1ow_-_ income units many ,of the older homes pro-
vide.
Ken Schreiber added that to, his knowledge none of those homes
are on the hi stori c `preservati ors list.
Don Avila, 4020 Fabian Way, one of the developers, said the
house -in question has "a crumbling brick foundation and bad
plumbing. He said the new development would be the same type
of architecture as the house to be taken down and would have
7 4 6
3/23/81'
less impact on t;,e street than the existing dwelling.
Milly Davis read a letter from the Palo Alto Neighborhood
Coalition into the record, which is on file in the Palo Alto
City Clerk's Office.
Cauncilmemoer Klein asked Jean McCown-Hawkes if perhaps the
Planning Commission should review the issue of demolition of
housing and whether the zoning ordinance takes care of parking
problems.
Ms. McCown-Hawkes said that parking problems were the same. as
those associated with the crowded 9ature of the down;;own area
and new developments had _the ability to serve their guests in
the even;ngs.
Regarding the demolition issue, new condominiums that are going
in comply- with the current zoning regulations and in fact
multi -family developments could be built on these sites without
the Commission ever seeing them, and for that reason could not
say whether further policy review should take place. She
reminded everyone that the upcoming report on the condominium
conversion ordinance addressed many of those issues.
Kenneth Schreiber, Director of Planning, reiterated that the
daytime parking problems are employee -related, and the evening
on -street parking problems are around the older apartment units
which do not provide the level of parking required of newer
developments. The number of cars generated by the newer devel-
opments are fewer than the spaces provided and the amount of
on -street parking around those developments tends to be consid-
erably less than around the apartment areas. Staff has thus
suggested, and the Commission has concurred, that additional
guest parking regulations for residential development would not
seem to be appropriate. He added that an effort was made to
preserve as much single-family housing as possible, but the
properties in the multi -family zoned areas are by and large
already developed multiple -family at a reasonably high den-
sity.
MO -ION: Councilmember Witherspoon moved, seconded by
Henderson, approval of the Commission's recommendation as
amendcd, to find the project, including the design and improve-
ment (e.g., the street alignments, drainage and sanitary
facilities, utilities, locations and size of all required
rights -of -way, lot size and configuration, grading, and traffic
access) rs consistent with the adopted Comprehensive Plan and
complies with the' Subdivision Map Act and Title 21 of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code; that the project will not be likely to
result in serious public health problems; that the site is
physir l_v suitable for the type and density of the proposed
development; :.nd tl.at there are no conflicts with public ease-
ments, and recommends approval of the tentative subdivision map
with the following condition: An internal drainage plan and a
landscape plan shall be submitted to the City Engineer for
approval prior to issuance of a building permit.
Counci lmember Witherspoon said that like old trees, old -houses
must,,be replaced,- a-lthough it is deplorable- that they are-
allowed,to get to the point where they cannot be preserved and,
the project is as_ a good a. project as could be had on the_
site.
Counci lmeir_ber Bechtel agreed there was no choice even though it
was sad to see such a house go,,, but the plan meets all the
zoning requirements. She felt the only choice might be to fur-
ther evaluate whether that area should. be down -zoned.
7 4 7
3/23/81
Councilmember Fazzino concurred, adding that the Council's
hands were tied with respect to Zoning Ordinance and procedures
the Council must follow, but hopes the Historic Resources Board
could bring something back to the Council with respect to demo -
prohibitions shortly.
Councilmember Renzel said a major portion of the downtown area
was rezoned in about 1973 from commercial to multi -family resi-
dential, which was a far-sighted move or the part of the
Council then, and had a short term effect of preserving a lot
of the existing older homes. She added that the Commission and
Council paid great attention to preserving the existing housing
in the downtown during the rezoning, partly to preserve the
character of the neighborhood and partly because the heavily
developed downtown core depends so extensively on the adjacent
neighborhood streets for parking, and they couldn't -have sus-
tained the parking resulting from _development to the past
zoning. However, they recognized that certain properties would
be •vulnerahle and supported the proposal, but expressed sym-
pathy with those who find it hard to see out- older homes demo-
lished
Councilmember Klein reiterated what the other members had said,
saying the development was to be commended under the circum-
stances and there was no choice but to go forward with the pro-
ject.
Mayor Henderson agreed with all the previous comments, adding
that the Council, needs to encourage retention and rehabilita-
tion of older homes wherever oossible, but that it does not add
to the City to retain deteriorating property and favors further
study on the rehabilitation program.
MOTION PASSED:- The motion to approve the staff recommendation
was approved 8-0, Eyerly absent.
PUBLIC HEARING
77117711117-777blvisioN MAP FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3700 EL
Mayor Henderson declared the public hearing open.
Barbara Homsy, 3760 La Selva Dr., said she does not accept the
project, and probably never will because of the density, the
future parking problem, and the height. She agreed Palo Alto
needed housing, but_ felt it should be lower density to keep
down the hei gl:t for the sake of the privacy of the immediate
neighbors.
George Parry, 510 Barron Avenue, reminded those at the meeting
that the project was .thrown out when first presented and
finally was accepted after the developers got John Northway, a
member of the Architectural Review Board, to do the --archi-
tectural design. He said he arid his neighbors couldn'.t under
stand why this size project on such a tiny lot was been allowed
to slide through. He considers it an abomination with the same
parking and other problems menti Wined for the earlier develop-
ment. He asked the: Council not to say their hands were.tied,
but -to do something based on 4. legal stance that it is not
consistent with` the neighborhood, based on size and density
Stella Chiffonato, 469 Grant, said there are some families who
cannot afford to buy single family house , but can only go the
way the Europeans have, that is the condominium concept. She
said save the -very best of the old houses, but provide for
young families',- She said she wants to see her -city grow and he
vital and requested the Council make their decisions. not on the
basis of density or height -but rather whether the project adds
to the neighborhood from the standpoint of beauty.
7 4 8
3/23/81
Vice -Mayor Fletcher wondered if Palo Alto can't build fairly
dense housing on El C minu Real, where it could. be built. She
said the development has sight line such that it will not
unusually intrude into the neighborhood, and it also has 40 ft.
setbacks. She added that increasing the parking any more would
increase the cost, per unit substantially, as would requiring
:"ewer units, and -'the Planning Cemmission had stated that if
this were developed completely R-1 rather than as a mixed use
the density would be even higher. She hoped that being on El
Camino with such good bus service, that car trips would be
substantially reduced.
MOTION: Vice -Mayor Fletcher moved, seconded by Witherspoon;
approval of the Planning Commission recommendation.
Councilmember Witherspoon wanted to know who owned the adjacent
alley.
Mr. Schreiber said that was still being researched but it would
be resolved before the project is granted a building permit.
Councilmember Fazzino said a major concern. raised at last
year's Council meeting. had to. do with traHic and parking in
that area. Some neighbors felt inadequate progress had been
made with respect to Council request to look at the situation.
Mr. Schreiber said the Transportation Die lion had come before
the Council with a list of neighborhood traffic studies to be
done, priorities were estabiished,,and Barron Park was #4 on
that list. Evergreen Park and Southgate came before and once
that and the European Health spa study are completed:, Barron
Park will be next.
Councilmember Renzel said she supported the motion for all the
reasons previously stated.
MOTION PASSED: The motion ... passed 8-0, Eyerly absent.
RECOMMENDATION OF
77770=7 —
FINANCE AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OF
MOTION: Committee Chairman Fazzino, f.:r the Finance and Public
Works Committee, moved 1) to negotiate a contract with the
joint venture team of Sedway/Cooke and R. W. Smith & Associates
for the "Arastra" Property Study; and 2) to negotiate with the
firm of William Spangle and Associates provided they are
willing upon request to submit a revised list of subconsultants
if staff fails to reach an agreement with Sedway/Cooke and. R.
W. Smith and Associates.
Mr. Fazzino reminded the Council that it decided in October,
1980, to explore the possibility of lox -density housing in the
_lower poee i on of the Ar'astra property for the possibility of
economic gain without a major negative visual impact and for
more housing opportunities because of the City's job/housing
imbalance. The consultants job will be to prepare alternative
land use options for this. Property including residential deve1-
opment and open space concepts and development venture options
within the context of a -6-month program. -Concurrently, they
'are to prepare environmental, economic and physical analyses of
the land use, adventure options, implementation strategies and
td pr- pare -a final report on both of these items, and the con=e
duct of :a community participation study, and assistance to the
City in the Planning Commission and City Council hearings.
Mr. Fazzi.no-advised.that he Was concerned about and presently
opposed to the concept of housing on the Arastra site. He did
not .'think it was an apropriate site to use to help correct the
job,'housing imbalance, and felt that this kind of housing
7 4 9
3/23/81
approach was better done in the flat -land area of town. He
also felt that the size of the contract might be excessive.
Further he advised that the Committee made it very clear that
they were not approving the concept of housing, but were deter-
mining that a study should be done of all housing options, and,
that they should be looking at environmental and economic con-
siderations and have those issues brought to the Counci .
Mr. Zimmerman advised that the total amount of the contract was
for $107,180, $10,000 of which was for contingency.
Councilmember Witherspoon also expressed concern over the
amount of the contract and wondered if p'rhaps some of the
tasks might not have been done during son' of the studies at
the time of the lawsuit. She was particularly concerned that
tasks 2 and 3 of the consultant report which were dei`initior, of
the total site and definition of the 77 -acre site, might be the
same.
1r. Zimmerman responded by defining task 3 as the first analy-
sis and evaluation. The first two tasks were really setting
out to define.. the scope of the overall site, task 1 from a
large overview and task 2, looking at the specific site itself.
Mr. ,Zimmerman assured Mrs. Witherspoon that they were using as
much of the material, including the topel s from the original
Arastra suit, but when it came to looking at the site and suit-
ability for any housing at all, the proposed study was essen-
tially to determine the feasibility of whether any type of
housing development would be suitable for up to 77 acres.
Mr. Schreiber added that the dollar amounts listed by task does
not necessarily represent the exact dollar amount that it will
take for the various tasks. When the consultant starts, they
will start on a numbca of tasks so they ask that it be recog-
nized that when they ere done, with the first task, they will be
well into the other tasks, so that task actually receives more
money as a factor to recognize, their start-up costs. Another
faa'ai , the last tasks will not cost as much as listed. Mr.
Schreiber further advised that generally, when negotiating a
contract, he wanted to make sure there was enough of a payment
near the end of the contract so, if there was a problem some
where along the way, at least there is a negotiating point.
Councilmember Witherspoon asked they were paying a premium for
the time insisting that it be completed within three months.
Mr. Zimmerman advised that there was no problem with the three
month time limit and that he was confident that it hado-been
negotiated as tightly as possible.
Council ember Bechtel stated that her preference was to keep
the entire property in open space, and that when the matter was
discussed in September, many of the councilmembers said to
study it, but the preference was to -keep -it in open space.. She
questioned why they were doing a $100,000 study, and the study
did not contain are- open space option. She suggested that
either it not be studied and it be kept in open space and dedi'-
cated as parkland. aShe felt that the type of housing that
would be built, would nut help the current housing needs, i.e.
low and moderate Income housing, and that it was not consistent
with what they were telling other agencies in -the surrounding
areas that they do not want to see their land developed, She
said if the motion is passed, she wants -to ensure that the
tract contained the open space option.
Mr. Schreiber stated that the purpose of the consultant was to
look at the alternatives to the Open space a ption. _The no
development option does ilot have any consultant involvement at
this stage because they are looking at possible development
schemes and financing mechanisms.
7 5 0
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Councilmember Renzel said she had similar concerns to those of
Councilmember Bechtel's. She said that her understanding at
the time the Council authorized going forward with a study,
that there was a clear instruction that one of the options to
be studied was to be preservation of the entire site in open
space and felt that ought to be very clear.. Unless open space
is set as a criteria, it would not be considered in this type
of an option study and the recommendation would come for devel-
opment. Since the contract was so expensive, and since her
preference was open space, she was concerned about the contract
as structured. Maybe there were too many options to be pur-
sued.
Councilmember Fletcher said at the time direction was given to
staff, it was in response to a staff report, and -they did have
some information on the site and, the fact that there was a
77 -acre parcel separated from the main part of the Arastra
property, separated by Arastradero Road, and that there was
some development already contiguous to that particular parcel.
It did look quite feasible and met with Council's outside pro-
jections _ that world pcssibly be a, desirable site for some
ho -u=sing. Previously, the Council was discussing how they could
raise funds to buy some school sites specifically Terman and
Ventura. She reminded the Council that more school sites were
going to be available as time goes on and substantial funding
would be needed to buy any of them, and if there is a site that
was not going to be detrimental to the Foothills area itself
that could. be developed and• bring the city enough return to buy
some open space school sites. It was looked at at the time as
a possible trade off. She did not feel that the Council was
predominantly intent on keeping the whole 515 acres in open
space at that time. She wanted to keep the options open to
developing some of the land if the study showed that it was not
going to be detrimental overall.
Councilmember Witherspoon said it was her impression from
reading the minutes that the consensus at the time was that the
Council was not considering the development of the 500 acres
across the road, but, if anything, they might possibly after
seeing a study consider the developing the 77 acres. She asked
about deleting some of the options involving the entire 500
acres.
Mayor Henderson advised that if the Council were interested in
a one in ten development up to 51 units, that there might be
locatIons on the other --side of Arastradero more suitable or
less detrimental than this particular 77 acres. The Council
did end up approving the general look at the property so that
that could be included.
AMENT?MENT TO MAIN MOTION: Witherspoon moved an amendment,
seconded by Klein,. to limit the study to 77 acres, including
option of "no. development."
Councilmember Renzel said her recollection was to _determine how
to go about using the Arastra land, how it would be used if the
City retained it as recreational open space, and whether
housing would be appropriate on the 77 acres that was divided
off by a road, and not anything on the main piece of land. She
did not recall discussions.of moving housing across the road to
the main piece of land and requested clarification from staff
'on the scope that was discussed.
Mr. Schreiber advised that the Council adopted a policy that at
least 438 of the 515 acres should be in, open space, and -that
consideration should be given to the use'of up to 77 acres, it
could' be less, for a residential development. References were
made to the 77 -acre parcel that was split off from the main
property by a Arastradero Road, but the record clearly states
that the Council wanted the consultants to look at possible
3/23/81
residential options on the main part of the property. The
operating assumption that staff and the consultants have is
that in all likelihood the effort will focus on the 77 acres
that were split off from the main part of the property.
Councilmember Renzel asked if the Council had a motion on the
77 acres, that it also be considered for open space.
Mr. Schreiber replied that it would be some combination of
residential or open space it could be all residential, or all
open space or somewhere in between.
Councilmember Renzel asked staff if addressing just the 77
acres, would significantly cut the cost of the study.
t'r. Schreiber said no. He felt it would be a relatively minor
cut. Mr. Schreiber clarified that this study did not include
future open space area. uses. After tcie Council had identified
areas for future open space use, then efforts would be made as
to the types of open space uses, trails, etc., but that was not
a part of this study.
Councilmember Klein pointed out that it was the-. Council's
desire to retain as much of the land .as open space as possible,
but that the City faced serious fiscal alternatives. He felt
the consultant fee was high, but the dollars they were talking
about in terms 'If housing en that side if that should ever be
the case, acquisition of school sites was far larger. He said
they were talking about numbers that could run into millions
of dollars and the citizenry of Palo Alto and the City Council
deserved to know all that. Thus, he felt they should go for-
ward with the study.
Councilmember Levy said there were two issues: 1) The question
of whether or not to develop the 77 acre site or some portion
of it -or ;Here than that. He agreed with comments by Mayor
Henderson and Councilmember Klein that it was important to move
ahead with the investigation of development of that site
because it was being talked about in a much larger context,
particularly of the school sites that may become available; 2)
What -the scope of the study should be. He said he was uncom-
fortable with a study of $100,000 unless it was necessary that
it be done. He did not know how to evaluate the study because
there was no alternative presented. He felt reassured by the
care with which the subcommittee --'looked into the selection of
the consultant and in the absence of any other alternative, he
was prepared to approve the consultant although he -agreed with
Councilmember Witherspoon's amendment that the scope of the
study be limited. He felt perhaps he would feel more com-
fortable if they were riot simply presented with one scope, one
recommendation to approve r 'not to approve, but if there were
alternatives given so that they could approve a study that was
larger in scope or smaller in scope to fit the objecti Ves ' of
'the Council.
Mayor Henderson commented that he was troubled with speaking
about 77 acres as though the entire 77 acres had to be devel-
oped if development occurred. He felt the key point was that
they would never exceed 51 units and hopefully they would be
clustered and that would be far from taking the entire 77
acres. Further, it was owed to'the citizens of Palo Alto to do
this study. There had been controversy in ..the community about
the Arastra property from the beginning and now, the added
points presented by the Councilmembers regarding school site
funding and, he felt it would take a very positive report for
there to be any chance of development i, that area. He felt
the alternatives must be looked at within the zoning created
for the Foothills, one unit per ten acres, and it must be
looked at on that property, and Council should make a judgment
based on the consultant's findings..
7 5 2
3/23/81
Councilmember'Fletcher asked what changes would occur regarding
the scope of the study itself and the estimate in the reduction
of the cost if the amendments passed.
Mr. Zimmerman answered that it would eliminate the detailed
anal vsi s of alternative sites to the 77 acre site for hous ng,
The consultant would concentrate on the 77 acres and do the
thorough analysis of whether 'various types of housing would be
suitable including all the environmental and geological, eco-
nomic and fiscal type analysis that was outlined in the scope
of work, but would concentrate on the '17 acres rather than a
preliminary analysis of all the area to see what would be
environmentally suitable for housing.
Councilmember Fazzino asked what could be done for $20,000 or
$30,000 in terms of a study.
Mr. Schreiber said that $20,000 or $30,000 for a study of this
nature -would give the City a very superficial analysis and
would not obtain any valuable economic data.
Councilmember Fazzino felt the information to be de:-'ved frorn
the study was very important, but was very uncomfortable about
the $100,000 figure. Since he wanted to retain the acres in.
open space, he could not justify spending $100,000 to have
someone try to change his mind. He felt that the Council
should not look upon this area as being the pot of gold to pay
for the school sites. If the total cost were reduced, he felt Correctio
comfortable that the information presented to the Council could See Pq864
likely change their minds and allow them to proceed with 6/8/81
housing. at least in the 77 -acre part of the property, he would
go along with the proposal:. He did not feel compelled to sup-
port the motion for a $100,000 study.
Mr. Zaner said if the Council was concerned with getting the
baseline data in the report, that was already included, but it
should be clear to the Council that this would not constitute a
plan for a use of the open space territory.
Mayor Henderson stated that he still felt strongly that the
Council should go ahead with this study. He also expressed
concern over the $100,000, and said he was counting on staff to
have a few thousand dollars knocked off if they were going to
reduce the scope of the study. He then confirmed with Council -
member Witherspoon that the amendment would limit the study to
the 17 acres, which she
AMENDM NT TO MAIN MOTION PASSED: The amendment to limit the
scope to 77 acres passed unanimously, Eyerly absent.
Mrs. Renzel stated that she was still uncomfortable with the
scope listed on page 12 ' -of of the report that talked about ' large
'rat, single family and so,forth. She agreed with the Mayor's
earlier comments and that her concept of looking at development
at all in this area was for possibility that the city might
actually do some innovative design that used. very little of the
land and that provided marketable -housing .and at good return to
the city at the same time. She did 'not see the clustered
single family, ten acre type lots, or six acre lots as her idea
of whatr she wanted to see up there even if "they would make
money off the land.
AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT: Councilmember Renzel moved,
seconded by Witherspoon, to eliminate 6.4 option on page 12,
"large lot, single family" and to insert "shall" instead of
"may" and, to include the other four options.
Mrs. Renzel indicated her concern that the larger the space
that each house occupied, the larger the space that roads,
access, and telephone poles, etc. would occupy. She was not
willing to make money on that land in that way. It was not
7 5 3
3/23/81
appropriate for the City to be pursue. that particular kind of
development even if they talked about 51 one -acre lots, plus an
additional 20 percent for roads, because the entire 77 acres
would be covered over ;with tennis courts, swimming pools and
roofs. She could not visualize any circumstance under which
she would supeort that kind of development on city land and saw
no point in studying. it. If the city looked to other rne,;Ens of
financing school site acquisitions they would need the economic
data about this property for comparative purposes but she
preferred to see the Council limit the option area.
Councilmember Fletcher said she was not sure that eliminating
6.4 was going to reduce the thrust of the study more than a
few dollars, since they were looking at.the site in total and
felt it would be worthwhile to see it in black and white in
order to justify the chosen venture or development.•
MOTION PASSED: The amendment to the agreement passed on the
following vote:
A(ES: Bechtel, Fazzino, Levy, Renzei, Witherspoon, Klein
NOES: Fletcher, Henderson
ABSENT: Eyerly
Mr. Levy wondered if the budget amendment would come out of the
contingency fund because there was money left in the general
operating contingency, He asked if five votes were required.
Attorney Abrams answered that it was the general operating con-
tingency. The five votes were needed because the money was
appropriated at the time of the adoption of the original bud-
get.
Me. Zaner concurred that it would require a majority of the
Council to confirm a transfer of funds.
Mr. Levy wondered if there was any reason it could not be
delayed so that it went through the formal budget process.
Mr. Zimmerman responded that it would mean delaying the study
and the intent was to have the study move as rapidly as pos-
sible.
Mr. Klein asked what the procedure would be if the motion was
passed with regard to the changes that have been made in the
work program.
Mr. Abrams interpreted Council as saying they were directing
staff .to return to the consultant and ask for a decrease in
accordance with the modifications, and if that decrease was
unsatisfactory, to.then inform: the Council, but technically;:
COunci l was approving the amount , set forth. Mr. Abrams felt `it
was important. that staff could return to the consultant ,and
discuss the decrease,' whatever it might be, staff would be
eblig3,ted to return to Council without-- the doc+.aments being
executed.
MAIN MOTION PASSED: The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Frenzel, Klein, Fletcher, Henderson, Levy,
Witherspoon e
NOES: Fazzi!ci, Bechtel
ABSENT: Eyerly
7 5,4
3/23/81
ORDINANCE N0. 3274 entitled "ORDINANCE OF
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
1980-81 TO PROVIDE FOR FUNDING IN THE
PLANNING DIVISION FOR THE ARASTRA PROPERTY
STUDY CONSULTANT SERVICES
RECESS: Recess was called from 9:35 p.m. to 9:50 p.m.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION ON A UNANIMOUS VOTE 7-0
C
Mayor Henderson felt that it was important to remove the item
from the consent calendar because he did not want anyone to .
think -that the Council did not consider appeals individually.
The Zoning Administrator denied the use perit and variance ar,d
the Planning Commission supported the Zoning Administrator by
also denying the appeal.
Marty Wilson, 2264 Bush, San Francisco, Agent for Home Federal
Savings, and the author of a letter that was included in the
packet regarding this project, asked if the Council had any
questions.
Mayor Henderson said he felt Mr. Wilson's letter responded very
well to the Planning Commission's comments and acknowledged
that the Counci lmemhers had the letter of March 19.
Counci lrember Witherspoon asked Mr. Wilson if it was his under --
standing that if the Council went along with the Planning
Commission's recommendation$.the savings and loan would stay in
its presert location.
Mr. Wilson advised that it was conditioned upon the lease they
currently have. They have a lease that runs through the end of
the year and it is the savings and loan's desire to stay -in
that area, quite an investment was made moving in. They would
exert.all effort to stay in that area, but one can never say.
JoAnne Russel), 605 Colorado Avenue, Palo Alto, circulated a
petition. She felt the variance and _use permit would add sig-
nificantly to the congestion of that particular corner. It
would feed traffic into the savings and loan as the Safeway
traffic was coming out right next to it. There was a traffic
tight backup that everyone would have to wait to go through.
The people that signed the petition were not in favor of a bank
being built at -that paeticular corner.
Herb Borock, 3401 Ross Road, Palo Alto, responded to Mr.
Wilson's letter which he understood was,a response to concerns
raised at the Planning Commission meetings. He had not seen a
copy ar'd did not know what Mr: Wilson had said. He was given
a,copy of the letter to read.
Mr. R. J. Debs, 3145 Flowers Lane, Palo Alto, indurated that
there was no March 19 letter in -the packet and no one from,the
public had seen it. He felt the Council was being given a
sales job whereas the members of- the public had no idea what
was going on. He ,felt that the Council should accept the vote
of the Planning Commission.` The smatter went through the Zoning
Administrator, it went to the Planning Commission with a very
full discussion and was turned down unanimously. If Mr. Wilson
wanted to change his mind, he should reapply. He did not feel
it was being handled fairly by the Council. The fact that the
7 5 5
3/2381
letter was not on the wall was setting a bad precedent. He
advised that there was now three financial institutions in that
intersection and this was a neighborhood commercial zone. 'The
area is _a citizens' neig''borhood, a very nice one, and waF not
supposed to be a major financial -center. He hat' lived in that
area for 24 or 25 years, and did not want to ;see it become the
financial corner of South Palo Alto. -Besides his own prej.-!-
dice, he felt the procedure was irregular. He was not quar-
reling with Mr, Wilson's right to come in with a letter, but he
was quarreling with the fact that the public did not see that
letter and that as much as the public trusts the Council, he_
felt they should turn the appeal down, let them come in with
another application and go through the procedure again.
Mayor Henderson said he saw nothing wrong with the procedure.
Many times the Counci i has letters given to them the night of
the meeting, and would not want to think that Mr. Wilson could
not submit his letter.
Mr. Debs said there was nothing wrong with submitting the let-
ter, the problem was that the public had not seen the letter
and he could not find it on the back wall.
Ms. McCown-}lawkes said that the Planning Commission Chairman's
packet did have the let-cer in it, She reviewed the letter and
said that the comments Mr. Wilson made at the Commission
meeting were simply reiterated in the letter.
MOTION: Councilmember Bechtel moved, seconded by Fazzino, that
the Council uphold the Planning Commission recommendation to
deny the appeal.
MOTION PASSED: The motion passed by a vote of 7-1, Witherspoon
voting "no," Eyerly absent.
RESOLUTION RE APPROPRIATIONS LIMITATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR
MOTION: Councilmember Fazzino moved, seconded by Bechtel, to
apprcve the resolution to establish appropriations limita-
tions for Fiscal Year 1980-81.
MOTION PASSED: The motion passed by a vote of 8-0, Eyerly
absent.
RESOLUTION 5893 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO ESTABLISHING ITS APPROPRIA-
TIONS LIMITATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE XIII OF
THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION FOR FISCAL YEAR 1980-
81."
RESOLUTION RE APPLICATION TO STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY FOR
Staff recommends that Counci approve the Resolution autho-
rizing application submittal for bike path construction in
accordance with the requirements of the State Coastal
Conservancy.
Councilmember Witherspoon removed this item from the consent
calendar because she had a questNion of staff vis-a-vis the pre-
YiouS application which was"made for grant funds for the bike
path along the frontage road. She asked whether they were
going to get the first grant to connect the new bike path
around the base of the frontage road, with the two ends as
pointed out in this grant.
Mr. Adams advised that the first grant application was cur-
rently being reviewed by the State. There have been a number
of technical questions like legal.,description of the land that
the City owned, and he felt, the answer .should come soon. Mr..
7 5 6
3/23/81
Adams stated that the City must put through its appliction for
this grant before they hear about the previous application or
the City would miss out on the opportunity for ',4sese funds. It
was be a separate project, but it would be coordinated with the
other.
Councilmember Witherspoon asked what would happen if the City
loses the funding for the first application.
Me. Adams said that if they lose the money for the first grant,
they could st'.11 construct the proposed bike bath in part they
were independent of the one that parallels the frontage road.
MOTION: Councilmember Witherspoon moved, seconded by Levy,
that the resolution regarding the application for grant funds
for a bike path in the baylands-be_approved.
Councilmember Fletcher preferred to see Cooley Landing
stretched and felt that it was a much more crucial link around
the bay trail system than either the frce;itage road link or the
to the interpretive center because _there was access in both
those areas already. If the stretch to Cooley Landing were
built that would be a completely new route which was very much
needed.
Mr. Adams responded that they would keep those comments in
mind, although they may not have a choice.
MOTION PASSED: The section passed by a vote of 8-0, Eyerly
absent.,.
RESOLUTION 5892 entitled 'RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION
FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY
FOR PURPOSES OF BIKE PATHS IN BAYLANDS AREA."
AIR RIGHTS OVER
PARKING LOT TO A. K. PROPERTIES - AWARD OF
Mayor Henderson advised that the Counc0 met in a study session
last week.
Jean Diaz touched upon Councilmember Eyerly's March 18 memoran-
dum urging Council support in awarding the option agreement,
and expressed a concern that the Council not get too far along
in air ri hts projects -without looking at all - of the assessment
district lots and their potential for parking structure con-
struction. He informed the Council that in response to past
Council action, staff would come back to the Council in one or
two weeks, with a scope.. Of services on a study that would
examine a couple of lots in particular for parking structure
feasibility. ..Staff envisioned that kind of an assessment as
generating which lets should be considered for parking struc-
ture without going through any -air rights development.
Ann Werry, 4169 Willmar Drive, Palo Alto, spoke on behalf of
Downtown Palo Alto, Inc. Since the beginning of the considera-
tion of Air Rights, Downtown Palo Alto, Inc. has been .uppor-
tive of the possibilities for improving parking and housing
shortages. in Downtown_ Palo Alto. Two letters which were ' pre
viously sent,to the Council oy Downtown Palo Alto, Inc. on the
subject of air rights over parking lots in the liniVersity
Avenue Parking Assessment District were contained_in the staff
report which the Council had before them. Their views were
essentially unchanged from those expressed in the letter. . (A)
that as a matter ,,of equity and considerable- investment=, down-
town �roperty owners and business people have a. high degree of
concern and interest in the proper recognition of parking needs
and the establ i shment : of a Palo _A1 to policy on air rights over
assessment district parking lots;' and (B) that a minimum of 51
additional parking spaces over and above the existing 71 be
7 5 7
3/23/81
provided at, no expense to the District. The concept of using
air rights over parking lots as a means of improving parking
and housing shortages in downtown Palo Alto was a course of
action for which Artunian and Kinney should be commended for an
imaginative and practical solution to an extremely difficult
problem. Given the shortage of land for building in downtown
Palo Alto, Downtown Palo Alto, Inc. has supported this concept
since its inception and recommended that the Council continue
to move forward toward satisfactory and equitable option con-
veyance agreement.:
Jean Diaz reminded the Council that the initial concept that
was proposed called for the 74 spaces that presently exist plus
an additional 51 plus 65 for the private parking.
Councilmember Bechtel said that the Council received a letter
in their packet from a group of downtown property owners asking
that revenue from the sale or lease of air rights should be
returned to the assessment, district to provide additional
parking. She wondered what the legality of that might be, or
if it was possible.
Mr. Abrams answered that it was 'possible and that the
attorney's review does not reveal that it is required for two
primary reasons. (1) It has to be understood that the District
is a financing mechanism of the City of Palo Alto, a way to
achieve a certain goal, it this case parking through assess-
ments of properties which are deemed to be benefited. The
District does not have a separate status in and of itself, it
has no governing body so it does not stand alone. (2) The law
requires that the properties which are being assessed receive
the benefit for which they are being assessed, in this case
parking. This project, eas staff understood it, provided not
only the parking which is there now, but additional parking so
that the purpose for the assessments were still met. When one
reviewed the facts, it wa more clearly understood that the
purpose for which the district was formed was being met and it
had been for a number of years ' and that the project was not
defeatinu it, hence, it legally did not need to go the
District, although the Council could establish any policy it
wished.
Councilmember Bechtel stated that she was torn because this was
a way to get a pot of money started to build a much needed
parking structure, but because this required more staff time,
probably.considerably more than the fees charged to do the
work, she felt that the 'money should go back to the general
fund, but in. the future, she would be open to explore having
the money go to the district.
Mayor Henderson said that this type of thing comes up periodi-
cally not just parking and felt thati the Council and -the
Finance Committee must be continually prepared to discuss the
whole subject cf designating specific revenues to other than
the general operating fund.- The Mayor suggested that this be
looked at during -the budget hearings this year.
Councilmember Klein said he recalled the subject of air rights
first tieing brought up more than ten years ago, and being dis-
cussed in the early 1970's when he was, on the Planning
Commission, but not getting anywhere. He thought it was very
excitiog to see it coming closer to. fruition now in 1981. e He
felt the staff and Artunian and Kinney-shQ,uld be commended for
all the work that had gone into the project. He felt that the
air rights idea offered at least one partial solution to :some
of the problems facing Palo Alto in regard to parking and
housing, and hoped that the 'Council moved the project - forward
as swiftly as possible. At the, study session last week, he
raised several concerns, the main concern was: -the formula and
he felt that all of them had- been addressed„ by the staff in
their report and was satisfied with the answers given. He
referred to how the City would determine by appraisal the value
of the units that were going to be sold. The staff's proposed
amendment was satisfactory to him.
MOTION: Councilmember Klein moved, seconded by Fletcher, to
authorize the Mayor to execute, the Option Agreement as pre-
sented in March 12, 1981 CMR (CMR:,184:1) with, clarification on
page one of the Conveyance Agreement, Exhibit 11, that the
estimates of the project income shall be as of January 1984 (as
opposed to construction estimates of January 1981); and autho-
rize the Mayor to execute the Conveyance Agreement upon notice
from the Real Property Administrator that all option conditions
have been satisfied by A. K. Properties.
Councilmember Witherspoon had the same concerns as Council -
member Bechtel, and felt they were pretty well covered. If the
City needs to recoup some money up front and there was ongoing
income from this project, she hoped that the money would
eventually go to the Assessment District to defer the costs of
maintaining the parking structure in a neat fashion as•the
other lots downtown.
Councilmember Levy was pleased at moving ahead but he had some
reservation about the concept of negotiating the use of the air
rights rather than having a competitive bidding situation.
However, after perusing what staff had done in terms of this
negotiation, the City was getting a fair value for the air
rights so he was amenable to moving ahead. The concept of sup-
plying a substantial amount of extra parking was a proper con-
cept. He questioned whether the City was in any way locking
itself in by approving the option agreement. An element of the
proposal was the number of parking places per unit as spelled
out in the tentative proposal from the developers and he won-
dered if the City was committed to those numbers.
Mr. Diaz answered no. The A. K. Properties proposal was a
conceptual one. The option agreement process will go through
the Planning Commission, the Architectural Review Board and the
City Council as any regular project in terms of looking at the
zone change, comprehensive plan change and the specific devel-
opment plans that are proposed. The City was not locked into
the :specific plan that was proposed and, it was subject to
revision and modification. The first step in the process was
that the developer provide four different schemes.
Mr. _Levy stated that the density was 44 units which was sub-
stantially in excess of that allowed in RM-5 zoni,ig. He a�zked
for clarification on that.
Mr. Dial said there is no guarantee for the developer of the
project.
Councilmember Levy indicated he was amenable to endorsing the
concept that funds from the sale of air rights be kept within
the assessment district budget.
Councilmember Renzel felt they were fortunate that Mr. Artunian
and Mr. Kinney had come forward with a proposal , for that par-
ticular lot and she th,nked staff, particularly Mr. Diaz, fur
an excellent job in working out the details and giving Council
such a thorough -report. She, toot'; was pleased that they were
going forward.
AMENDMENT TO MAIN MOTION: Councilmember Renzel moved, seconded
by Levy, that the four options be referred to the. -Planning
Commission for review.
7 5 9
3/23/81
Mrs. Fletcher raised the objection to the assumption that there
revenue had to go into parking without looking at the broader
picture of transportation. In other cities, including Los
Angeles, in the downtown areas, developers were encouraged to
provide alternate transit or some kind of funding to go into
transit, i.e. vans for the employees, etc., instead of building
parking to. the benefit of the entire area which would also be
applicable in downtown Palo Alto, because that is where the
congestion is. The people that live in the University Avenue
corridor complain that there is too much traffic coming into
downtown and she hoped that instead of always concentrating on
providing additional parking they look at other alternatives.
She asked why the prices were so low when. the other condo-
miniums developments going in downtown were in the $200,000 and
up bracket.
Mr. Diaz directed Council to attachment "F" in the staff report
here the average. figure was about $205,000 per unit which was
more in line with today's economics. •
Mr. Zaner remarked that a number of the Councilmembers had com-
mented about the transfer of revenues from the project either
into the assessment district or back into the general fund. He
stated that there were pros and cons to that argument and did
not want to yet into them at this point, but hoped none of the
Councilmembers would become irrevocably committed to one posi-
tion or another until staff got the information to them which
would be appropriately at the Finance and Public Works
Committee budget hearings.
Councilmember Fazzino stated that without being totally com-
mitted, he supported the concept of transfering revenues from
the project either into the assessment district or back into
the general fund. He felt that Mr. Diaz as well as Messrs.
Artunian and Kinney had done an outstanding job of insuring
that there is an adequate level of profit in what is a very
difficult and complex project, at the same time allowing the
City to recoup what resources it placed into the project. He
was also glad to see that the proposal met almost all the goals
and resolved some of the very legitimate concerns which were
raised in the Policy and Procedures Committee almost a year and
a half ago. With respect to the downtown parking issue, he
felt that downtown parking continues to be a problem, and it
was absolutely essential that the parking be replenished when
projects like this come before the Council. He hoped that the
Council would look seriously at the proposal brought before
them by members of Downtown Palo Alto, Inc. He felt it was
important to look beyond the issues of fair price and parking
and Planning Commission that -the Council was looking at a very
important housing concept and he was pleased that the
developers had been successful to this point. He felt this
project Was an exciting o,ie for the downtown area which does
provide housing opportunities for people and he'supported the
proposal. •
Mayor Henderson added his personal commendation to the staff
and especially to Mr. Diaz for his excellent work on this sub-
ject:. He also commended Mr. Artunian and Mr. Kinney for
staying with the project through very shakey times and working
out the option which he supported.
MOTION PASSED:. The motion passed, including that four options
coo to the Planning Commission, unanimously 8-0, Eyerly absent.
REPORT ON PALO ALTO FRUIT REMOVAL PROGRAM '
Mr. Zaner addressed the Council regarding the lengthy and com-
prehensive program which was headed by Geoff Paulson. He
advised that Mr. Paulson was at the meeting and had a slide
presentation for the Council.
7 6 0
3/23/81
Mr. Paulson gave the Council a brief look at what happened in
Palo Alto during the fruit removal program. To combat the
the threat to fruits and vegetables, State and Federal offi-
cials proposed to aerial spray with Malathion over Palo Alto
and areas of San Jose, but there was concern on the part of the
Council and they rejected the aerial spraying due largely to
health concerns. Therefore, Council directed staff to come up
with a program to remove fruit, which denied the Medfly a place
to lay the eggs and denies the larvae a place to live, and was
a method of controlling the Medfly which would be harmless to
humans. On December 9, an outline was developed, which
included purchasing of supplies and recruiting and organizing
of several hundred volunteers. The State then announced plans
to remove fruit in basically the southern half of Palo Alto.
This reduced the City's program to basically the northern half
of Palo Alto and a couple of outlying areas such as College
Terrace and the area around Esther Clark Park. On January 10,
over 500 volunteers distributed over 14,000 flyers, return
postcards and bags for fruit disposal in a matter of about
three hours. The volunteers helped the elderly and hanaicapped
by removing their fruit. The response to the fruit removal
program was tremendous.
The fruit removal effort which was the biggest volunteer effort
in the City's history, has reaffirmed the people of Palo Alto's
place as leaders in environmental concern and community
involvement.
Mayor Henderson thanked Mr. Paulson and expressed his apprecia-
tion to he and his volunteers on behalf of the City for his
efforts on the fight against the Medfly.
Councilmember Renzel commended Mr. Paulson and reminded the
Council that when they first took action to oppose the aerial
spraying and the County Board .of,. Supervisors Has meeting
jointly with members of the Stace Agricultural Committee, she
was at the Board of Supervisors_ Chambers and the commendations.
were coming in then that Palo Alto was very well organized and Correction
so in to their campaign and felt staff really deserved a tre- See Pg864
mendous thanks for the hard work. 6/8/61
Councilmember Fletcher said it was incredible to be. able to
mobilize 700 volunteers who -put a lot of effort into this prob-
lem.
MOTION: Councilmember Fletcher moved, seconded by Renzel, that
staff prepare a resolution of appreciation for the volunteers
who served the City so will.
MOTION PASSED: The motion passed unanimously with Mr. E,yerly
absent.
iNTE-GRATED URBAN INFECT CONTROL RESEARCH PROGRAM
Staff recommends that 'Council approve an agreement with the
John Muir Institute of Napa, California in the amount of
$15,006. ( CMR :171: 1
Councilmember Witherspoon - removed - the item frcm the consent
calendar because she .felt that budget items should not be on
the, consent calendar. As she nnderstood the contract it was
basically for insect control search program and she noted in Correction.
the staff report that each year there had been an increase in See Pg864
the number of cultivated diseased trees rather thin pest 6/8/81
related problems.- She asked what covered the diseased trees
because it was not covered in the contract, and was there an
increase over the cost of the contract last year. -
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.J
Mayor Henderson advised Councilmember Witherspoon that this was
not a budget amendment, and was on the consent calendar because
the Council had to approve the contract each year.
Mr. Adams responded to Councilmember Witherspoon that it was a
continuation of a program that was started several years ago.
He advised that last year's contract was also $15,000, and that
this one wi l l be a phase out of the program for training
staff. He anticipated that in the future they would only need
the consultants for particularly difficult situations sa that
the primary purpose is to train the City staff to carry on with
the program. As to the diseased trees and other vegetation, he
though it was the intent to refer to those that are infested
with critters that can be taken care of by other critters,
which was what the pest control system was.
Councilmember Witherspoon was concerned that trees are a very
fashionable topic of conversation and obviously diseased trees.
needed to be responded to either by being cut down or treated.
She asked that at some point staff advise what was being done
about diseased trees.
Mr. Adams reflected that the City did have a program for
treating with chemicals, but it was not necessarily taken care
of through this contract.
MOTION: Councilmember Witherspoon moved, seconded by Renzel,
that the Council approve the contract with the John Muir
Institute in the amount of $155006.
Mrs. Bechtel referred the Council to page 2 of the agreement,
the top of the page, under (b) which described the scope of the
work, which included a raster tree plan and species selection
work with the Palo Alto Tree "ommittee to develop a master tree
planning list for the City, and wondered what Tree Committee
it referred to.
Mr. Adams said that the existiny Ad Hoc Tree Committee had been
working with staff to develop an accepted species list and
that the consultant was also working with the staff and the
tree committee.
MOTION PASSED: The motion passed 8-0 with Mr. Eyerly absent.
CONTRACT - INTEGRATED URBAN INSECT CONTROL RESEARCH
PROGRAM - John Muir Institute
LETTER OF AGREEMENT - SPENCER ASSOCIATES, ARCHITECTS AND
MOTION: Councilmember Witherspoon moved, . seconded by Fazzino,
that Council approve the staff recommendation to authorize the
Mayor to execute the letter of agreement for $19,100 which adds
structural design services to the original contract with
pencer- Associates, Architects and Planners;.
Councilmember Klein advised ' that mils law firm represents
Spencer Associates, and that he would ..not be participating
this matter.
Mr. Levy sad that the city had, identified structural deficien-
cies in the column bracing and wondered if that was one of
things to be remedied.
Mr. Adams stated that there hadbeen changes in the earthquake
safety code since the - Library was built. he reminded them that
in the Finance and Public Works Committee meetings, staff
informed members of ,that committee that there were .necessary
items to be designed concurrently with the other design of the
4.vd'rticati'uns of that buliding.'"
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3/23/81
MOTION PASSED: The motion passed 7-0, Mr. Eyerly absent and
Mr. Klein not participating.
LETTER OF AGREEMENT - Spencer Associates, Architects,
& Planners
MAYOR HENDERSON RE VIGIL ON APRIL 5 REGARDING THE ATLANTA
Mayor Henderson advised that he was informed the previous week
of a vigil to be held on April 5 between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. at
the Y.W.C.A. on Alma Street related to the Atlanta situation.
He advised that it would be Palo Alto's moment to express its
concern and support of its citizens. He agreed to participate
that evening .and hoped everyone else would. As part of the
program, he read a resolution of the Council of the City of
Palo Alto. He asked the Council to approve the resolution as
an emergency item and authorize the staff and mayor to prepare
the resolution the following week.
MOTION: Mayor Henderson, seconded by Fazzino, that Council
voice its support of the April 5 Atlanta Vigil program in Palo
Alto and direct staff to prepare a resolution to be read by the
Mayor at the event.
1
MOTION PASSED: The motion passed 8-0, with Eyerly absent.
RESOLUTION NO. 5894.
Mayor Henderson announced that the next meeting would be April
6, 1981.
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned at 10:50
ATTEST:
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p.ni0
APPROVED
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Mayor
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3/23/81