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1978-12-11 City Council Summary Minutes
Regular Meeting December ,11, 1978 ITEM PAGE Oral Communications 3 6 1 Contingency Response to Proposition 13, Finance and Public Works Committee Recommends to Council 3 6 1 Recess Resurfacing Tennis Courts Budget Amendment Ordinance for Fiscal Year 1978-79 Request of Councilmembers Clay and Fauzino re Propostion 13 Tax Savings for Tenants Oral Corr nicatioris Hamilton Avenue Traffic illegal Duckhunting in Baylands Trees on Webster Block Adjournment 368 376 376 378 378 379 3 7I- 379 . • Regular Meeting . .• ' ' *December 11, 1978 The' City Council* of the City of Palo• Alto met on. this'day in a regular meeting at 7:43- p.m., Mayor Carey presiding. PRESENT: Brenner, Carey, Clay,' Eyerly,' Fazzino, Fletcher, ' "Henderson, Sher,' Witherspoon . '"ABSENT: None ' OA t' COMM ICATIONS 1. Don B. Overall', 1200 Harm l ton, ' presented a• petttton calling for the "-- elimination of thr ough traffic' on the' residential section of Hamilton • "-Avenue-east of Middlefield Road. Nbnt-local traffic had become a • :problem on Hamilton Avenue during' Pala'Alto`s Oaantown' beautification = 'project; drivers had 'thus learned about' that -shortcut; residents eared a further increase i n ' such traf :1c ` with the advent of the .. new Orton Bridge. The petition' asked. the' City to install : traffic diverters to be located' at the eastern end of the' Pttddlefield�- : `Hamtlton'lntersection. •'He'•asked• that- Council- direct staff to study the problem and return •to Council - at the earliest -possible time with results of that study, - 2.: —Mrs. 'irst Elizabeth -L. Otis, 909 N:' California,- Maid" she had been a ' resident- of Palo Alto for over' 50'years` ahli` that it- seemed that the • -City had forgotten -what the Veterans had done- fbP the country by `not `doing.. more -to retain and rehabilitate` the Veterans' Building. Correc ted see page 431. TXVINGENCYRESPONSE TOPR SIT'IOt 13. Vice'Neyor Hendersonv chain of the' Finance' and'Public-WorIs Comittee, sal( that the cowl ttee had' been' working' hard'with' the- staff since July. The. task of meeting tie' requirements' of Proposition' 13 -had- been arduous, yet.'rewardtag in -that the`Ccimittee' learned many particulate about both City and governmeetal operations 'Vice Mayor Henderson' praised the work of George Sipel, Lary Moore, •and many' other department• heads. The task had: been to redoce City expenditures 'by $3.1- till l ion'-by"July 1, 1979. The committee had tried to fulfill the wishes of citizens to retain desire services and at 'the sama time' work t ard 'reducing expenditures in' the -amount of $1.2 million by July, 19799 and present .to voters in Play a hatred ' pask'age of about ` million . -A' list of department recoreoenda- tioes for cuts in expendi times- had been drag;' up," that totaled $1.2 millions. Another list had been drawn with' total reductions of about $l.5.mll'fion,' as a base for further reductions' should-a`revenue measure ail to pass'at the polls. Staff had just communitatet to the Finance and • Public Works _ Co 9ttme' that only $1 nri 1 lion to- $1:5' mi l l i on had to be :pared for fiscal .year 1979-80. Vice:Mayor'Hender°son said he p t 1 iy'su re °tt ' tn'expendl tunes 'and the 'Cit ` age 's announcement about the unexpected reserve had been dismtying 1n'vleit' .the"atannt of work 'that had gone into working out cuts. Oa tented the accuracy of the 're rted' resew lo ' be - unmi stakabl e beforethe-revenue package ' :.- t e voters . Wl thin' a year or two the $3:5' million would have `tot ' point where a revenue election -probably would be required: He -thought Council should enact .elite for cuts' in"t e' " of` $i:2 "m't1lion by July, 19?ib, thus provimm to citizens that thetttecoold and.vould reduce 3frl 11111/78 expenditures -at'all levels of government. He hoped -that if Council deleted cuts it would replace those cuts with new cuts. He thought Council should defer action on the remaining $2 million -in cuts and retain in Committee the list of possible'remaining reductions. He was concerned about one result: Proposit1on`13 savings'hrve accrued to industry in greater magnitude than to residents. -The -proposed budget cuts of $1.2 million were cuts that would be' felt- notby industry but by residents. If no near- revenue' sources were found- industry would not be af"ected'at all. Council should address tat' pvtlem that evening. MOTION: Chairman Henderson moved the following' Finance and Public Works Committee recommendations -re the contingency response to• Proposition 13: 1. 'By unanimous vote, to adopt a pol i cy of iapl'nti ng ' budget reductions of approximately $500,000' begs nnwing 'Jan vy 1,-l979`dne$'.P ,O O beginning July 1, 1979 (Amended ' to' adopt a policy of implamenttnubudget reductions of approximately $1 million by July 1, 1979) and to place on the ballot in May 1979 a proposal 'or proposals to increase roes"by'approximately $2 million; further, the Committee recommends retaining in Committee tentative budget reductions of approximat ly' $1.5' million for further consideration if the proposed revenue along with increases are not approvers by the voters. 1(a) . By unanimous vote, a reduction. from $11,500 to S5;500; and further,' for a management audit be eliminated in -the City Council's travel budget by' aI'vote-oaf-3-1, that -the $30,000 from the' Councl1's budget. 1(b).'By unanimous vote that memberships -in the California League of Cities, Association of bay Area Governments-and'?$ational League of Cities be retained, and that there be a reduction of $2,689 in the Clerk's' budget for meJabership in Sister Cities International and U.S. Conference of Mayors. 1(c). By unanimous vote, to reduce the City.11 nager4's budget by $58,000, by eltninating'the Assistant City'Manager`S- positio `and"one clerical position. 1(4) By unanimous vote, to cut $38,169 from:tbe. Petsonnel Department's budget -by et mineting one-half-an-adnitistittorand one hat f a General Cleric' A in -the Employment and Affirmative Action+' subpragrmn; and $4,000 for:manAgement physicals. 1(e). By UnlinitetiS vote, that the Ma g nt"' Benei'1t Prograar be reduced by $25,1100. 2. By unanimous vote, that the CityContralleres-budget be reduced by $36.060 by July 1. 3.. By mantises vote, that there be no -reductions. in the budget for the City Attorney's office. 4, By unanimous vote, that reductions - for Reproduction and Mailing be $23'.000 ' by July, 1979, and 4(s) That Budget and ResourceAnalysis Division be reduced by $42,740, by July, 1979. 5. By a vote of 3 in favor, one opposed, - that $10,475' be the reduction from Purchases and Stores Di vi sl b' s budget. 6. - By unanimous ve¢te, that $86,100- tie' ding' alst nance budget be reduced by July, 1979. 362 12/11/78 7. By unanimous vote, that $25,485 from the' Equipment Maintenance budget be reduced by July, 1979. 8. By unanimous vote, that the use of City vehicles sflould be cut and that the Committee look at this approximately one month from this date, outside of the Jarvis -Gann discussion. 9.. By unanimous vote, that future 'purchases of City vehicles be limited to compacts, with the exception ofvehicles purchased forthe.Police Depart- ment. 10...By a vote of 3 in favor, 1 opposed, that -there be reductions in the Social and Comm ni ty •Services Administration' Budget' of $32,800. 11. By unanimous vote,' reductions of $111,358 by- July, • 1979 for the Arts and Sciences budget. 12. By unanimous -vote, reductions of $50,000 by -Julys 1979 in the Library budget. 13. .By unanimous. vote, reductions of $110,800 by July, 1979 for the Recreation budget. 14. By unanimous vote, reduction of $189,917 in the Police Department budget by July, 1979. 15. By unanimous vote, reduction of $106,000 by July 1979 for the Fire Department. 16. By unanimous vote, that Planning Division- reductions total $39,000. 17. 13y -unanimous vote, that Transportation reductions -total $14,000 J by July 1979. 18. By unani us vote, $45,000 by July, 1979. 19,. By unanimous vote, July 1979, 20: By unanimous vote, that the Streets budget be reduced by $30,000 by 4uly, 1979. 21. By unanimous vote, that $46.80' be reinstated -for the Capital vr i pr nt Project to resurface tenni* courts. 22. BY Unan#a 9s vote, that the $77,000 for the' Senior' Coordinating Council in the Sacs a1 and Cc ni ty Servi ces budget, previously reduced, be move m. ti .the tentative category. 23. - By unanimous vote, that Council' smart the plan to place a revenue raising proposal or proposals before ` citizens of Palo Alto in the May, 1979 Municipal Election. The revenue sources to be considered by t Council . shi:uld include utility user tax, transient occaPancy tax, fire service o feee, and a business license fee; further that fire service , - fees be structured so that they would be patterned 'basically after the assessed valuations, the revenue that has"ben raised historically by property tee. that Public Works Engineering reductions total /,pee. Gc �you do 0 /97 that the Parks budget be reduced by $53,040 by .g) 24. By unanimous vote, that Council implement r perameedic transportation fee. 363 12/11/78 25. By unanimous Kite, that Council adopt the service fee schedule recommended by staff. 26. By unanimous vote, that Council direct staff to write to the State Legislature urging a redistribution of existing tax revenues; for example, a portion of the sales tax to provide sufficient funds directly to local governments to offset at least one-half of loss in property tax revenues resulting from passage of Proposition 13. 27. -By unanimous vote, that staff proceed with the money available for removal' of the drive -in -theater fixtures and asphalt, with staff to report and advise on the balance of the' work to be done. AMENDMENT: Vice Mayor Henderson moved, seconded. by. Eyerly, that on item 1.1 the words "to' adopt a- policy of'm `emantfhg`i3udget- reductions of approximately $500,000 beginning January. 1, 1979' and ,000 beginning July 1,1979" be deleted; :that the words "and to' place. on the ballot in May -1979'a proposal or proposals to increase revenues' by, approximately $2 million:" be deleted; that the words "if` the proposed -revenue increases are not approved by the voters." be deleted. Vice Mayer Menderson read 1.1 as -it would be.arhen amended: "By unanimous vote to adopt a policy of 1mp1ementing`budget reductions-af approximrately $ i .million by July 1, 1979; further, the Co f ttee rinds retaining in C erfttee tentetiare budget reductions of approximatley $1.5 million for further considerations along with proposed' al'ter°rative revenue increases." Mayor Carey su fia! i zed that the amended m otion' w ould leave on the floor recommended $1=2 mi'liion'in'budgetcuts, effective January 1, 1979. Contingency' cuts of about $1.5 million would remain -in Committee, for they would be' dependent on alternate revenue- sources to' be approved by the voters. Mayor Carey said he would take the motion to: aid nmow before Council before' the public was heard from, because` ifthe amendment passed the budget cuts would be'limited to $1:2 million and-many'speakers would then have 'had their concerns taken care of. George S i yeti r City Manager, spoke of the reduction -0'13.1 million In property tax revenue because of the passage' o' P vposftion 13. Both Coua i'i 'and 'the State of 'California. had taken actions to- a e 1 i orate the effects of that reduction, 04 state had forwarded $960,000 in "bail- out" flands;' there had been no capital' invent prolects.nor had there beesrsalaryincreases for about one-half of Ciaq-employeev, thus saving aboaut ',000 along with an' adm nc1 str tl ve l tan 'filling vacant positions. The receded $1.2' militon in cuts- wed' assist the City in attaining a "cash position" that weul dgtvej tt further advantage, `which would' be amt $3.3 million total ' in t " Htral and vital l�rts f a nd. Me had reported i n_ Sept a ber,' 147'&, het such wou l d be the case, though there had been-chengertnimethet. reserve amount would be -Arrived at. That $3.3 m111io r baIaaa ce u d~ be' depleted in 1979 and` 1990 " for rem'- wou l d not' keep up' wtth' expenditures . However, increase in 'cost of government had been arrested, and. proposed $1.2 aailft in cats' was very htlthful . Mr; Stpe1 noted that what cuts were agt bl e- to the ci ti ze'ns had become..kmamn,andjtwavabout 5 percen t of former" expendi tames . He said' he had cit d+` that' nerdfar new revenues could not very wall- be established why the' Ctty.wauTd have - 4- balance of $3:1millitin the amount of money had rat' , birt-tits own view of hN that money should be allocated had modified. 'Pit tight some cost- of-livin salary increases should' beiOade and also provide for some mist -capital t re t"ptegrames during the7coming'year;14011e determining 364 12/11 /78 tee what_ revenue sources were -available so: far: as further "bail -out" funds from the. State and perhaps some ca re' yin: the sales' tax-. 'He said that one of the attainable revenues "out • there"' which' the Ctty could consider was the hotel/motel tax to raise about $500,000.annually. Present budget recommerdations gave the City "breathtng space"- to. think about what programs could be comfortably cut or funded. Counci'lmember--Sher said he would l ikee Council to hear-- from the public before- the- proposed amendmeet was voted'on--substantive suggestions could thus` be proposed. Mayor --Carey said that those who wanted to'havve:alternahe revenue sources to' be' on the' ballot or the additional' -$2' ert11ion 'tn' cuts,' deletion of which -was now -before Council, could'speek at this present time --those speakers who' favored -those del'atioes -wo+ tt have had therr ee tshes fulfil led if the' amendment paesed. R. J. Debs, 3145' flowers lane, said he: thoUght- people:meted to speak not -on the' two Matters Mayor Carey: -had- outlined, but on some of the specific cuts and on the issue of whether or nut" the Ctty should go to alternative sources. Mayor Carey amplified that the matter of'the $1.2 million cuts was not included lee the amendment -now' before -Council Mr: Debs, he. said, could speak if he wished. Mr. Debs said he thought the amendment toretain in- Commftt.ee the proposed $2 mil1ion'ter budget cuts, along with' consideration of alternate revenue sources, did not assure that the '°unique services -of this City" were le pt. He' deplored reduction of police and fire departments by 7 and 6 personnel-, respectively. Two thirds of the Proposition -13 savings had returned to Palo Alto's tax base of industryand commerce,' and Hr. Debs said *TVs no longer out —tax base- e4 re' pa lr g through the nose for the effluent from that tax base," such- as traf `1c, crtwdffng,' inflated house prices. He wanted to see s restitution of these'. penalties now borne by Palo Al tans ; he- thought alternate sources of revenue net requiring a Kay ballot issue were at hand. He favored' cutting' tie' cost of government, not'. thresientties which had made Palo Alto a desirabtrplace to live -- rather than astir cuts he thought the City shtrula sttek,-altorrnate revenue. Big: business, such as Stanford University, paid -tmwa .thirds of the City's revenue --he' wanted the City to get that two-thirds back. Coll' S.W. Landes, 716 Wildw ed,di/Burred at: the cam, in the agenda that' hat occurred that evening. ' lie` amid' fbr rl arrf'f Batton - on what was anal by such tares as "utility uw "s tae." - miss that•i lily surcharge as 1 i y b1't"tt? "Tront ncy% "fire: service fee"? ;that did those tetra' want : $e'objected to ng-oaresedies. fir competition with ex'isttog commercial ' services. Hie' faulted those' who' had designed and built the present City Han, and' a/itera ted it be' listed along with "surplus City properties. Aichard Klux/fit Pale Alto Chamber cf.Cor v , - salt,* was present to *roar av questions Court lamber ' might' have' regarding his- Tatter to them. Mayor- Cary expl ai ned that it was art CUitaliM for Council to enter into a dialogue with members of the public. W. Mal* said that tosmfbers of- the Ch w. of did notrecce/and err VOW ' a te. two**�d"ice` better t- 0 '•moo r ;'thee' Ct o that there bD' Oere► =PIM st' of- awl 'Ott ' to each' department; He had *groat reservations - the. prooeset fire' .su ee fats if it Wen 365 12/11/7 to be a general revenue measure, which, were it to be levied against properties, would be another tax. The business community, he said, "...is willing and always has, been willing, to pay its share." Jack Reynolds, Hewlett-Packard, read a letter he had sent Council, saying his co any had concerns about the proposed budget.' He listed reasons why ''proposed tax increases appeared tobe premature." According to the preliminary estimate the proposed utility tax' woul d' cost Hewlett- Packard $250,000 based on 5 percent of Hewlett-Packard's total estimated 1979. utility bill The company wanted verification ofneed for imposing such a tax, for it did not think such need' had been shown. Alison Lee, 1241 Harker Avenue, said she did not think cuts of 12 and 18 percent la recreation and the arts respectively were "cutting out the fat", she had a - petition signed by -people -who hed'to'maintain the City's present level of services, Me.'Lee eaidlharmanyeresidents had chosen to live in Palo Altoatpersonal sacrifice in'order'to have the City's services. She emphasized that she thought the Cfter' should help out the City's school system. Robert Moss, 4010 0rm , said he' thoughtPa'l o . Al tans lived here because of the' Ci ty's services, for which they' were' will ing :-to. pay. He felt fairly amenable to proposed tests. He' said that though' City funds were unchanged, conclusions about how those funds should' be' handled had varied. He favored a conservative attitude toward availability of funds, hence their expenditure. He favored the question of a hotel/motel tav being placed on the ballot. Nancy aeccer, 1015 Amarillo, said she was: secretary for the West Bayshore Residents Aesociation, and she said members of that organization were "...completely opposed to sell off any portion' of the dedicated Greer -Park land." She asked that Council reaffirm its stand toward Greer Park by approving immediate disposition' of the' already -allocated $100,000 to develop the park for local rec; eational 'facilities . Charles Scott, 3136 Genevieve Court, read a letter with several signers ceplcring selling a portion of Greer Park; they asked that different sources of City revenue be found. He' reviewed` some contradictions in the extent of emphasis placed on improving Greer Pat, usually to the detriment of plans for part improvement. - Steve Pr , lnger, 133 Tennyson, president of-Si.!ti'_Lccal 715, Palo Alto Ctlapter, said his local wanted to caution Council: that budget cuts would impair City s✓ervi ces , and he sal d' hl s total al would -oppose any speed-up that resulted. He said workers would do their share; b, ti one worker could not do the work of two. en and Young* 966- Gri l lo; said he' tFaeogbt the' tact- of proposed cuts was' not yet fully understood by' finance antrittltc' mks Committee - members. l ` Wired what kind of City the- Cbuncii` and the Chamber of Commerce'had i n - ai nd; was the City just a bookkeeping `operation? or were -its: - to' be considered?' Me and othe4 . not` pf'tpaae to sacrifice subatanceforfalse economy. Why' proceed with ' cuts ' whey, there was money available? He asked that a on'on budget arts -be suspended and that the.impact from such - cuts be assessed. Me" ranted the' busi ness community to' carry its fair share. frank Manfredi* 219 Addison, said' that pmtfur Pale'Alto's present problems -had its origin in Rim `s . a ntst+st1dn; "Elms' urged reducing the City budget; "lie .have to stop the ut eylyd' ctar . "- participants of - sporU mild support -the activfties' they mom. R rgioes' practise had not' improved morels, when it 'ogre' to mea+mey. The'?ederei' Reserve System 366 12/11/78 had been founded in 1912 in such away that usury was promoted. He thought scrip should be printed 1f money was' needed; tfiat' had- the advantage of helping the present money system -to collapse, thus helping poor people. Leland Levy, 1564 Walnut Drive, spoke as a member of the -'steering committee of the• Civic' League and as a citizen. Prior to' hearing' of the cash reser"e, the -Civic League had basically. supported the'recommendations of the finance and Public Works Committee-enow, . wf th' the change in ground rules he would have to review that statement with the'League. He said that Proposition 13 effects f cted-schools°.more thanCity services, for schools had only property tax' to' rely on, and•so' he hoped the City would help the schools wen possible. He wa glad. that"new taxes would rat have to be -levied; he hoped the quality of . l i fe- i n Pato Alto could continue at its present hfgh level . 'He hoped the auditing -procedure now to the budget could be arairntainM' so- that credibility' or the citizenry could be retained. Gloria' Horne, 1471 kings Lane., said- representatives of friends of the Libraryt the Civic League, the Senior Coor sting' CISUnCil Center for Performing Arts and Council' for the PTA food anrtt - hoc c i ttee endorsing the' need for continuing the present Palo -Alto services, saying it would support and work for- initiation of revenue- ra#sing- measures to continue such services. Personally she noted that there might be a serious' budget deficiency in 1930-81' of aboot•$1.5'mi-ilfon.. She thought it an opportune time to place a transient occupancy -tax measur=e on the ballot to forestall that serious deficiency. Edward Fretberc, 726 Charleston Road, said that proposed.cuts on services such as — library and recreation -were -necessary -to maintain a viable c+xmuni ty . He said Palo Al tans had ' a ie many'. accomr odati ons to the business community and, w.th- tom' passage' of -Proposition -13i the City's tax base, that paid for all' the services busihess'.hed7 need of, had been dangerously -reduced. He. thought a- fire_ serum titers- fee -would provide an equitable arrangement; -residences requtrittg 1007 gallons per minute would be served without charge -'those facilities' requiring more would be charged. • He thought at' least $2 million -could' be'raised in that way. His. proposal for such a- fee was :mot a' tax and would not .require a vote. He also thought a business Menushould be 'isa --Pato Alto was one of only four cities in California' that' did not license- fts businesses. . Harrison: Otis, 909 N. Cal ifernia,- said tit' though y Palo Alto wanted cuts in cosh of government it ranted~ polite, fire;- end' poremedic services. He' stressed that- a- gaud educational system shoed' be' fostered, with costs' 'kept salmi si . Rim R. Powell,' 2657 fir, supported-. the. alandueetlaefore Council `H.` thought speakers up to nest had semen irrelevant to the action before Council . Toe Passel, 3625 Levis Nd, said he did' nett 1 tom' theidea of selling off Palo Alto's capital asso'far it' cou3tripe- r only. me, He urged developing yea' or two now maws eo r 4 railtirrAti could be retained. Mt hod virtied tor Proposition't?. to get'rid of a regressive tax; he 'had ' not 1 nee d that cut* er be a; 'butt that other sources of reve we `be sought for they omit csrtai trlybe medattlfr a couple of years. 5uVgar'di Neftto,Serstm, representee'ratvietittlestnnint Corperetf on, e r' r cir ems' d' opaint facility low located in Palo Alto; hat oration' war considareCoes a r t ' tear orgy users. ' Fairchild opposed dis a lnastlon' show ford.. industry; it wand to pay its fair share. 367 12/11/78 Cynthia Para, 631 Colorado,.said that traffic.and.litter had increased drramaticaily'in the Midtown' -area, specifically from-the'business area at Midtown. Ardon Crosby, 938 Van Auken Circle,said that though -he voted' for' Proposition 13 he would gladly pay ' the amount of tax' he had -saved ' through -its passage if he' thought the money would stay in Palo Alto. Pat Cullen, 409 -Melville, president o' 'ttae Palo' Alto: Civic' League, was appalled to learn that -her -group had` notbeen given information about the surpllcs before 'now, for it ' had spent many hours -on the matter of reducing expenses. She charged the' City i tta' having' withhel d the iefarma ti on regarding -the -surplus. ' She thought Council' should` censure City staff. Phil Albert, worker at Community' Retarded Assoc; at! on'. Palo Al to , spoke of his' concerns 'about closure- of the' City-Centerat- Mitchell Park, for that facility was very helpful in his work. RECESS Council recessed from 9:15 to 9:33 p.m. Larry Campagna, 3027 Emerson, said that-on-this,"his first' visit to a Cou tl' meeting,1he could not -find an- evening's: agern a. He continued saying he had moved to Palo Alto at considerable personal and financial expense and he feared that the services that made the City -so attractive to him might be withdrawn. He said'he would like to see the contents of a :Council packet; he thought those who- attended . should' be informed. (He was' advised that the packet was available at public libraries and at City Hall in. advance of the Council meeting.) -Mayor Care► reviewed that the -motion -to amend. now before Council would ' el iahi nate the further $2 million' i n cuts and -the: proposal to place alternate -sources of revenue -on the ballot. Councfl r Eyerly said he had heard -many oftom` speaker at the r'tnatce'and»Public'Works'Coaaasittee meetings. orcourse, ultimately, Councilmembers would vote for - than wh i ch they thought' wag best for the City as a whole. -He reminded listeners that intome'frow property tax assessments was still being -received, two-thirdS ofwhtch was from commercial property; - the tax evaluation' been' reduced' with passage of Proposition 13. ribeut 10',000 Palo 'Altans' had voted or passage of Pimp eition' i 3, 'and 12;000 had voted' against.. from. that' i t could be dew_ that passage of new revenue' sours f d' not be forthcoming. The' My had received $960,000' from- the State" alter 'the Committee had bery'un work on -balancing the post-Proposittbn' i3''t get. ` He said the 'City had given no wage' increases that'. ,year. - TES ' 3 taufbrd Shopping Canter' addition had afforded-the'Cityconeiderabielftreased sales tax. Consolidation of the fire department with other communities had saves much mfr, as had c aun1cations' consol1deation` ' the County. The staff had'made those savi rags ' happen. ` T> a 'may' discussed for the future was . anticipated may, and not - i n the -pocket ail: thee' present: -He thought the-- Ci ty ' wou1 d have - to have - a fast r ctiety ` to' bash' shams' i n revenue. He' did not think the -$1.2 mi 11 i oA'In- c ' Good that evening mould endanger the service level ' of 'the City. ' I f ire` had been too much severity it -could be reviewed in the next' ftscal - year` revi ew process. He had favored alitalthy reserve foil-the-tat/area mono it brought, along with .a safety fe t4r. It seemed that the 'voters did not want mumi cipali ti es to -have muctureserve. With the pmt' bal ances and those'forecastfor ' the following year he' did nvf tee tire' raved for new 368 12/11[78 revenue sources. If inflation affected. that money then -the City could talk about revenues. He urged support of other Counciimembers for the amendment now before Council. Counci lmember Sher -said he interpreted Mr: Sipe1's' recone endeti on that Council have' another look at the proposed '$2'. mit1ion cuts in December, 1979, as a suggestion to put on'the'May' T979': ballotproposed new revenue sources,'for the budget year'1980e81; CoutellimabereSher said that since many things coui d ' h ero' fin' tart' 1 ength of tt a the matter of proposed cuts and -proposed revenue sources r sbooTd -not' t a retai ned in commtttee; - ift those matters were retained in. ct ttee' "...we give some currency to those cuts which the'co ttee h worked'oate-quite frankly, I have a -lot of reservations about the comments - of those tentative cuts, and I don't want't n reta1red- in`cov n1ttee' for future consideration -- just mentioning -a few of them...the tentative.cut in'arts'and sciences another nearly $70.©00 out of a budget that's'ateeady-been cut 19 percent in the $1.2 million; the library' budget-:whtth- IS proposed to be cut $50,000 --the tentative cuts would reduces. those' another $100,000. . . , " He also mentioned proposed cuts in recreation! fire department, and police depart lent. With or without additibnal;revenue sources he had "serious doubts about those cuts. . . ." In the matter of sources of additional_revenu( Councilin er"Sher expressed "grave'doubt" about voters, up to two-thirds of the plebiscite, approving additional taxes. Though it was true that the conIT uni ty might -tolerate -the $1.2 million cuts in service, it was possible thatthe cuts might also'go too deeply. Also, capital improvement programs had been frozen. for severa i years, and the thought had been that the capital now.in-reserve should stay there, rather than be spent on some capital -improvements -that had been frozen. 'He approved of the City -Manager's suggestions that'the City rn v'e forward . wi th - at - least one new revenue source-. To preteen would have the elements of a "test case," and the- transienteoccupancy- tax was one such revenue source, because ' ...1f 'the -people- of Palo Alto- won't give a two- thirds vote to that, which .will not-tax-the'm very much, they won't give a two-thirds vote to'anything.i''!fie- thought ttat wr :?d be -useful to put on next May's ballot. Such a ballot measure would -authorize the Council to increase the' transient occupancy tax, perhaps' by 2 percent. That would produce new revenue the City could -draw-on if -it were found that the $1.2 million in cuts had -gone too:deepiy. He -summed up that he supported the ' fi rs t - porti on of - tare . aaa ndaeent . nog+ ' before' Council which deleted the two cats - of $500,000 each, and he- supporters the part of the aunt that deleted the $2 -million -in tuts; hedid- n+ot support the part of the amendmentthat per mitted-'the Comrtttee to' retain further consideration of additional revenue sobrces.-8e asked -that -the motion be in three .parts. -and he Bald move -to -table the third part. AMENDMENT NT TO AMENDMENT: Council r Shea moved; seconded by Brenner, that Council table that portion' of the t- beforelt`to retain in coal ttee the consideration of further: budget' cuts and - additional revenue sources. The motion felled on the following vote: AYES: Brenner, Fletcher, Sher NOES: Carey, Clay, Eyerly, fazzino, lieederson, Witherspoon AMENDMENT TO IT: Council or Shen moved. ceded by Brenner, the portion of the -amendment about -the $te iidn'In catslbe deleted and that_ ,a proposition -for May, 1979, authorizing -Council to -increase the transient occupancy tax up to an additional 2' percent; be'placed on the ballot. Mayor Carey said he # rt Courtilmeabers . were entitled to one motion to mend an a n %ent, withth-snotheramendment perarlastble-itthe amendment to the amendment failed. 36►9 12/11/78 Councilmember Sher 'amplified' that'h1s amendment'gaa* the Council the power to increase the tax -it did' notsay it'would' actually be done. Councilmember Fletcher asked what the experience'of other communities around the Bay Area had been regarding transiency tax. Larry Moore, Budget and Resource Management, 'replied that most' communities taxed'6 to 8 percent. Those who had-the'6'percent'tax-were considering seising it to 8 percent. Councilmember Fazzino said that the' pry s►Id, amenont .to the amendment seemed innocuous at first glance.' The $3 million'surptus gave opponents of the tax a very good talking point. He did not think'66 percent of the voters would support the tax raise. 'Credibility of the City might be harmed if it were placed on the' ballot. He would• vote against it. Ytce Mayor Henderson said he had intended:toYsupport•the occupancy tax but the City Manager had stated that as' a': citi zen.- hc: i+u'ld', not vote for new revenue sources considering the current state' of" Ctty'finances, and that made a'tax raise seem financially -questionable; Also -the raise in occupancy tax ignored commerce and industry, Who' w outd- hest' be included to give a broader base. The proposed*2 percent increase would bring Palo Alto's occupancy tax level with 'that of the -other communities who charged the most. Councilmember Brenner said the proposed'Oeasure.would bring a message from the citizens 'as to whether or not they wished to'retatn the level of services. 'She would favor the amendment. Councilmember Eyerly thought ' i t .premature to enact a new' tax : He favored keeping it in committee. Forecasts of the City finances showed "...that for several years we will have a surplus. . Councilmember Clay agreed with * Counci lmembers 'opposed- to' the amendment. There was a reaeenably healthy'reserve,'and he favored -more experience before further cuts -or more revenue was sought. Mr. Slpel ' said he thought it would-be wise toy cons'i'der 'the' $1.2 million cuts in conjunction with the -proposed transiency occupancy't3x raise --if the cuts were not made the 'reserve'`would_be below the.agreed-upon reserve of $2 million. Mayor. Cagey said that the Caettee recommendatton had"been. for the' $1.2 aei l l ion - tn' cuts, saying -that -unless' therCwere:alternetirrevenue sources further cuts, perhaps up' to $2 million, Sold. be needed'." Since that recommendation it' had -been -learned -that there'.. was' a l arger' surpl us than had. been anticipated,' in view of the Meal . data" now to hand. .Mayor Carey said he did not'think furtherbudgettuts,,everrwithout additional revenue._ needed to be made, because from the'.data`it seemed the money would be adequ-ite for the foreseeable future. tie': opposed`'the increased occupancy tax-- it touched only a sma fl 'segment 'of- business ' and industry. Councilmember Sher held that his -motianliad beeo:aemtnently logical" according ' to his -interpretation of caamaants- made' tha'r''eventng about the impact of -the $1:2 million in cuts:' If thOwcutrwere7too severe the revenue would have to be evade up so +There.' Coot citmember Sher read some of the programs -that -would be cut: 'both-adut!t and'ctrt1drees performing arts; a -management position'at"the"Junior Muses; eit atlon of summer day camp activities and one naturalist; . sod°. the.f ing in arts and sciences alone.' He read-further'cuts. - ' ' raver e-measurt~ raising the transient occupant tax would -give the'Cjty a- fihancial-'ca hion so that same of the -cuts could be recd idered: Also, to -place -it -on the ballot 370 12111/78 now would be advantageous for there was'some.moentem built up toward a new revenue raising plan. Councl limber Eyerly -said that on November l ; ' 1978 the' City Controller had projected in the -Capital projects' fund'.approprfated for July 1, 1979, $3.8 million; for July 1, 1980, $3,374;00®. loth would be diminished by $500,000' for Sand Hill Road project, and dtigttt also be' increased by monies from the State. From those figures it did not appear the budget would require adjustment. Councilmember Fletcher observed that- ti ugh many7of-Abe' Finance and . Public Works Co ttee- recommendat_^ions mere ' unae tm us 0 "the- unanimi ty was granted reluctantly by some un r the pressure of a' mi rst-case considera- tion. She would like to reiretate- sue' parks and meintenarce-programs, and she favored raising some -new revenue. AMENDMENT TO ANT FAILED: The amendmeertv:the:mmendment, that a measure be placed on the ballot authorizing. Countf l to -increase the transient occupancy tax by up to 2 percent, failed' oT the following vote: AYES: Brenner, Fletcher, Sher NOES: Carey, Clay, Eyerly, Fazzino041endersom, Witherspoon Councilmember Brenner -asked that tie' amendment to' l 1- be -separated into three parts. She -said -the tentative cuts of an:addttional $59,000 in Arts and Sciences hod bit-her'up-short;.she'thought the budget should spak to the aspirations for the City rather -than its fears. She did not want prospective cuts to be "stuck -in co mtttee:"' She thought a sense of what -the $1.2 million in cuts would lead'toehad to be learned before further cuts were considered. Vice Mayor Henderson said that when the City's reserve fell, and if the City was unable ' to °,pass further r' venue' taxes , ' substsnti al cuts would have to be made. Every department' t+ uld be cut. 'He' thought it wise to keep the proposed $ 2 million in cuts in committee. Mayor Carey said that the motion to emend oontainetthree parts: part I would eliminate the tentative cuts of about $2 rtTtton,'contingent on a successful ballot measure for alternative rem: part -2v to eliminate the recommendation that alternate revs r` propoals' be' pl aced on the ballot this coming fiscal year; part 3 retained the -parts 1 and 2 in committee. PART 1; ELIMINATION N OF CONTINGENCY CUTS 'O $2. MILL/Oa-PASSED: Part 1 of the . tilt, eliminating' tentative- cuts - of about $2million , passed on a unanimous vote. PART 2; ELIMINATION OF ALTERNATIVE REVENUE:PROPOSALS BEING PLACED OM THE BALLOT FOR .*1', 1979 PASSED: Part 2, eliataat# ' tl a provision that alternative revenue proposals -be placed on the ballot" for May, 1979, passed on the following vote: AYES:. Carey, Clay ,l y,' f no, - fle the , Henderson Sher, Witherspoon NOES: Brenner 371 12/11/78 PART 3; RENTENTION IN COMMITTEE: Part 3, that. redactions of approximately $2 million for further consideration, along.wit?rproposed_alternative revenue increases, be retained -in -Committee -passed on the following vote: AYES: Carey, Clay, Eyerlv-,' Faxzlno, Fletcher; Henderson, Witherspoon NOES:- Brenner, Sher Mayor Carey stated that the committee recommendations _as. amended were now before Council. Vice Mayor Henderson enumerated i tems' it - the: amen nt now -before council, which would remain -in Comeittee:' lc,- 4b, 11; 12, 13, 15, and 20. He noted that the -reduction for Public Works Administratton'of 18a, in the amount of $30,000, had been omitted, and he' Included it. AMENDMENT: Councilmember Sher moved, seconded. by : f letchor, - that at the end of 1.1 the clause be added'statieg: "Further; -that the -Finance and Public Works Conmittee be instructed to -consider the -i ct, on services to the community of the $1.2 millionbudget reductions during the next fiscal year, and to'report to the Council on theee-in connection with the Committee's budget recommendations in the 1980-81 budget." Councilmember Sher said his amendment irstructed' the Co mittee not to assume that the'budget reduction could necessarily withstand experience and that there should be Council reviewal. Councilmember Witherspoon said that Council -looked at the budget each year without being instructed to do so. Councilmember Sher said he wanted the'specific eliminations of school liaison, one police officer, and cuts in -Arts -and Science along with cuts in the Recreation, to be looked at. Mayor -Carey said he would oppose the -motion: he_ did not think it was necessary. Counci 3 r Eyerly demurred at• the` requmtst thatthat-the.Committee assess the impact of the budget cuts --he thought -t ' act -was included in the information -before Council that evening. He thought-Councilmember Sher wanted some po i ti cal hearings to find out how .the `unity felt about what had happened 'subsequent to "the -cuts . 'The Committee did that each year anyway. AMENOMENT PASSED: The amendment, that a'c3aose-be added to 1.1 that stated, *Furthert'that the Pi naneee' ant: Pob'T IC Vorkireolerttterbe instructed to consider the a ct on services to the community of-the.$1.2 million budget reductions during the next fiscal year; and to report to the Council on that impact in connection with ' the ' Comettee4 s `butt recommenda- tions enda- tions in the 1980-81 budget," passed on the following vote: AYES: Brenner; Clay, Fazziro, Fletcher; Henderson, Sher l EiES: Carey, Eyerly, Witherspoon. AMEMOMENT: Counci 1 aber Item 1.8 sttte that staff the use of City vehicles. Councilmember Witherspoon at in Committee. Fl etcher' aaov ad, : seccrmded`by ilehderson, that was to return t " Councils with en. analysis of said she' preferred to' have -the tter looked 372 12/11/78 "1 r t. AMENDMENT PASSED: The amendment-that'staff-return to Council with an analysis of the use or City vehicles passed -on a -unanimous vote. Councilmember Eyerly rete;red to Item L27, that'spoke of'the use of the $100,000 grant money to remove asphalt aed'drive=in theater fixtures at the Greer Park site, Councilmember Eyetly said helhad'expressed doubt that all of Greer Park was needed for a regional.park,-though he did think a park was needed. He would lake-to'have a needs assessment because. since the ' land had been dedicated for park' case there had been changes in the population; he didn't think' alit that'space was needed now. He wanted to know what operating expense fore suth a park would be. He thought both the building and operating of sucinr a 'park would be too much for the City to support. AMENDMENT TO ITEM 1>271 Counci tmemberfyerly. d, seconded- by Witherspoon, that staff be directed to investigatethe' feasibility'of`the sale of a portion of the park -dedicated land in Greer Park, (up to one-half of the 21 acres) to finance park improvements and return't0 Council in 4-6 months, the report to include estimated operating expenses and to be referred to the Finance and Public Works Committee and Planning Commission for their input. Mayor Carey asked' f Councilmember Eyerly`s amendment* would delete Item 27. Councilmember Eyerly said hie amendment would replace Item'27, as it was now stated. His amendmenthad been taken from the staff recommendation in CMP:499:8 page 4, Oeceeber 7: Counc4lmember W 1 zhef a peor1 noted that tee . staff report stated that if Greer Park were dente icped in its' eet'rety Cep -Improvements in the drive- in theater area would hate to be drug up far installation'of sub -surface drainage lines. She thought teere mould be extreme caution in the use of that $100,000 from state tunes, Vice Mayor Henderson said that the longer trnprovements .on Greer Park were delayed the stronger the ergements against:improvements became, for the costs rose with the paestge oT time; 1e:thought tip entire park should be held, and drainage, mcunding antturfinfshould be done. He would like now to look at dollar•aiternat'ves Of the. original Please I plan, and a'so the cost of developing thet portion -called the drive-in site, with drainage, mounding and' turfing, which -would-be a definite step. turd completion of the park. 'He wetr`td oppose this amendment, then. Ise would move that the matter be referred to the'Finance and Public Works Committee for some updated figures. Councilmember Clay said he' thought 'socae improvement: should be made on the drive=in-area. He would like to' see'so r'tody:on-whtch-part of the park might be sold, arid -then consider'that in tarn with'some proposed improvements to the park. _ Ccuncf lmem+ber Fa ino said that the -City's- pairful Yy- slow- progress on improving Greer Park had led to rising: costs. -Me' tto ght-the need had been well established some years back.- He wanted' i t. to' more forward. The aeendment before Council did not retain'the-optirn'of developing the entire park, which he thought -more del i rabl e . 373 12/11/78 1 1 Corrected see page 431. 1 Counci 1member Sher said he' coul d not ' supporta ,motion' that proposed selling off a'portion of the park lands. He'thought the motion would not pass; he thought it would be'a waste -of staff time'to ask staff to investigate that. He had favored the'thoughts-Vice'Mayor Henderson had stated. There was a long-time commitment to'Greer'Park that the City hd to honor. He thought improvement of that -park carea had a high - priority claim to some of the $1 million budgeted for capital' improvements in the coming year. Counclimember'Brenner favored thesuggested:ame+ a t-bice'Mayor Henderson had" stated. - She 'asked when a neighbortood"had•'everbeen asked to justify a park by using a portion of the' space for incam Parks were assigned on the general tax base. She thought a pes is/ part was the best use for the GreerPark flood plain land: 'Neither Esther Clark Park nor Alma Park been scrutinized from the standpoint' of°population'need. She favored developing Greer Park gradually. She did' not think-a''iot of capital improvements were needed to make it useful, Counci ter Eyerly said' that about $3 iricee woul d be needed today to develop Greer' Park and that money' might: nos, be' obtainable for a long time, if ever. His motion intended that the $loO,t 0'be'retained for the park, with staff input being on hand before the money was committed to the drive-in area, which was near-Bayshore rreeway and noisy. Mayer Carey said he would support -the .amendment; Proposition 13 had implied that a 22 -acre park on the edge of tow n' needed 'to be weighed carefully. Passage of the Eyerly motion might bring about a park more quickly than the present mode would ?sake possible. AMENDMENT FAILED: The amendment to Item' 1.27 asking staff to inquire into the feasibility of selling a portion of park -dedicated land in Greer Park failed on the following vote: AYES: Carey; Eyerly, Witherspoon NOES: Brenner; 'Clay,' Fazzino,' Pletcher; Henderson, Sher Vice. Mayor Henderson said no - i tem had : been ' approved : as often as Greer Park'_ deveIopmente The $3 million'costs world' be for a"h'ghly developed park. He favored less -expensive' simple' drafnage` and turfing. AMENDMENT: 'Vito Mayor Henderson moved that °the smatter of improving Greer Part be -referred to the Pfnmce':'arnd Pub11t` 'Committee for the purpose of discussing alternatIve costs forevarlous4phaseseofdevelopment. Councilmember Clay asked if the $100;000 would' be lost-tf' the drive-in area were not to be improved. Mayor Carey said that the ' $103,000 would stay, wi th ='t the state because it wouldbe lost if the improvement on the`'drtve-1n : area -it -was to be spent on had merely to be torn out when the balance of the -perk had drainage installed. AMENDMENT PASSED: The amendment that the matter of Greer Park be referred to the Finance and Public Works Committee for the. purpose of discussing alternative coats for various phases of development passed.. On the follhiring vote: AYES: Brenner, Carey, Eyerly, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson Sher, Witherspoon NOES: Clay 374 12/11/78 Councilmember Eyerly raised the matter of the Arastre property. "We're heavily impacted with an investment of $7.5 million. . . ." He had submitted a memo to Councilmembers that suggested possibilities for generating revenues from that property. The area was under the City's 1O•acre zoning. MOTION: Councilmember Eyerly moved, seconded by Clay, that Council direct staff to research means of providing an annual income for the City from the Arastra property. Councilmember Eyerly said his motion was open-ended; staff could view the property as a possible housing or recreational facility, with some land perhaps to be saved as an addition to Foothill Park. 'He would like a permanent income to be provided from the land. It was not intended that money to be "eaten up" by the operating budget be raised. Roy C. Abrams, City Attorney, asked that Council defer the actual commencement of the report until the Eldridge litigation, now scheduled for the' end of March .s completed. Some of the information thus generated might otherwise be used by Eldridge in relation to the worth of the property in question. MOTION TO TABLE: Councilmember Carey moved, seconded by Henderson, that the report on the Arastra property be tabled. The motion to table passed on the following vote: AYES: Brenner, Carey, Clay, Fa zz i no, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher, Witherspoon NOES: Eyerly Councilmember Fletcher raised the questions of items 14 and 15 combined. Regional meetings were held for the purpose of pooling budget -saving suggestions, and Police/Fire consolidation appeared to be one implemented form of saving; Sunnyvale, has a public safety department instead of a separate police department and a separate fire department. Sunnyvale's mayor had said that such a combination saved about 25 percent of -the total cost of tko departments. Consolidation had been started before Sunnyvale's population had grown so large. Councilmember Fletcher -said she would like more information on the applicability of such a plan for Palo Alto: money saved, problems raisue, and the like. ?POTION: Councilmember Fletcher moved, seconded by Henderson, that Council direct staff to prepare a brief report on police/fire department consolidation at the level of 1) combining the administration; and 2) full consolidation. The motion passed on a unanimous vote. Councilmember Fletcher said that she did not think consolidation was an immediate step to take --perhaps in a long range view consolidation might be considered. Mayor Carey asked if Councilmembers were ready to vote on the entire.. motion, as amended. Counci lin er Sher said he wished to speak on the motion. Hewas appre- hensive of the effects of some of the $1.2 million cuts, though he favored the concept of trying t+o cut the cost of government. His main reservation about passage of the main motion - concerned retention in committee of otentativ "' cuts. He thought the Committee might be constrained, 375 12/11/78 in that way, "...to think about some' thtngs which; In .my opinion, are unthi nkati i o:..1 f it becomes necessary -to' have additional* cuts later on the Committee should start over. . . ." 1 Courici lmember Clay voiced the doubt that' coamerce and industry were paying their fair share, in some areas, specitically,'chi'ld care. Both parent and employer -benefited from that sucsuccessful' program -yet "...employers . are not' paying anything close to what they: ought -to., 'to' continue its support." When the child care program' wars . baagun ' tt hadbeen thought that the employers would be contactedand. that they'would-contribute to support of the program, and up U./ now industry had" backed away Mayor Carey agreed. and -sypported- CoimcilmemdeareCtars statements. Councilaesber Fletcher referred to'a: lamer' Countilmembera had received from the Chamber of Commerce saying -in one seetence;- "We - are confident that when -occasions -arise in'whtch the citizens- of"Palo-A'lto. can provide the necessary' volunteer strength .to continua'. present- service' the response of the citizens will be -more than a uete," •Cnuncilthember Fletcher said she hoped that the response of the Cher of: Commerce' would "...be more than adequate to help out in this' situation-wfth`the budget cuts," for the Chamber -was the recipient of services that i ?d` continue and would rot' feel the cuts -made thus far in recreation; instead, they had reaped the benefits of passage of Propcosition 13. MAIN MOT/On AS PailiNDED PASSED: The- motion;- that Council adopt the Finance and P bl1c Works recomendiatiots41. !roUgh-.f7, as amended, passed on a unanimous vote. RESURFACING TENNIS COURTS MOTION: Councilepenber Sher introduced*tte-following ordinance, seconded by leritclerson, moved its adoption ' by C' ci l : ORDAVICE 3100. entitled' "d fICE' F TIE COUNCIL. Cm of PALO ALTtf "`I'XE OW FOR THE FTStAL. -1978-79 1fl 1OE MOS FOR RESURFACING' NWT TE IS ARTS." The motion passed on a unanimous vote. and, NOTION TO- R ER: Counci l er-Fa na : mod, ..-seconded 'by Clay, that Council: r' the -met r of Proposition -13 tax` #atri a-refmds to tenants to the Po and PrOlidores Committee. P y r Carel, exploinetthet this' matter d. ttliksly -be referred to - C, : Those -members of t e 'm11c" to- speak on the matter cold spook to the Committee. Cosactlamober Fortino-rad-from a. ' t :he nod' Coonci lsomher Clay hid ent' to - Chunci' rs, ` soy! Ott' thy: �t avoided rent control or estabtis ent of �ttrstive strut r ` 1 d1 ' tard rent control's' The pi sn ' incl tided' a li x r tC p af1) . relate of at least 80 percent ' of t ' ee tone --s t - to`ttt tdto' re' cent in their 378 12/11/70 14.50* rents; 2) payment or rent credits.prorated.to'tenauts to be paid between January 1, 1979' to June 30, 1979; or 2) a onetime -rollback -in rent to 80 percent of the tax savings;.3) another rebate method to beagreed upon by. owner_ and tenant in writing. Owners shoaid . be required to send notice to their renters within'a' specified period' of`time-informing them of the proposed ordinance should'it'pass. Penaltievfor'non-compliance were to be dealt with in Small Claims Court ehd utilize'the-Human Relations Commission and Rental Housing diat1on'Task' force- in"matters of dispute. commercial properties were usually leased for tr r a' to- i0 years with specifics ' or `varied provisions and corrptiestions' winch' might affect an increase or decrease of rent, and so' they' were not included in the proposed ordinance. Mayor Carey ascertained .with City- Attorney -M6r at he would be eligible to participate in the vote. Jim Morley, 1777 Saratoga Avenue, San'Jose3 represertIng the Tri-County Apartment Association, said thatehis-associatioh-intended to study the issue of tax rebates . and submi ti is 'views to Council "a little bit later on." Ardon W. Crosby, 938 Van Auken Circle, " asked that -the matter of rebate of tax savings resulting from Proposition 13 be -dropped... He gave his personal experiences of -improving his own. properties, for which, he said, he would not' receive reiuturseme 't. He rented -to Stanford students. He said that he'did not receive money wiser► his taxes were decreased, and so it was not money'he- Sad in his hand, it was' merely money he would not have to pay back. He had thought that when the proposition had passed the matter was settled. He thoughtthat'...a' new kind of criminal class" was in the making. His savings from passage of''the proposition would have to to to seek legal counsel. He thou ht that if commercial property was to be exempted frtm such proposed lgts1etion..hteehi lf,..... was being discriminated against, eeets if his _operat1 w3 e':st. . ':e ... . opposed to the more complicated leasing press for' co rci e1. pj rty,..:.. Herb Borock, 424 Lytton Avenue, said -he w tl d. l ike : to be able to see a .proposed ordinance on the -matter of rent relief; he' wondered when the next Policy and Procedures Committee ti ng - ess scheduled. He wanted to see . a date certain set forthe' tiaae when the Policy and Procedures Committee would -- ret►urn with t !e - peed ordinance to- Counci l , along with a. date certain -when the- Committee would meet. Pentti ltanerva, 2150 Dartmouth, said he thought it`wn only fair that savings resulting from pafsege of Pro:petition 13 ga, also- to those who rented, for, as property taxes had ben raised_ testa' had also been • raised. Rents had; 'hoover, been unable' for tiiiraru, he felt, and there was also the $25 . deduction on' sta a lam: e£.fi :.* t s• .. � tremendous increase in property' salts' tali" lwitoralt• , 4ACa itist.. , renters, since sales" values hat risen' aao • tl an' had same evaluations.... lie thought those two values should be' figusree ate' c tosely together. He did not'think it radical for Council to' alder' tax rebates. Don Way, 2291 South -Court, represeetieg.thothaman'Relatiems Commission, reed toe motion mode and passeotateallassn'Relatioms.Cogriesion meeting tiring the City Council to adopt s tax' rebate ' on habi ta- tional propertY. Co nc11 r -Sher asked if- Counciiseabar Purim. Mended, by his ordinance, ' that' owners of rental' prOperty Oct tivralstPetitteleste in the tax rebate program would be guilty- of arlsdeamaanors. 377 12/11/78 Roy C. Abrams, City Attorney,' said that the art sd eanorpenalty was a maximum $500 fine' or 6 months' in' county jat1; • but that was. viewed as a criminal penalty . It was not- yet • known' i f a: dill' penalty could be imposed, which was collectible through Small Claims Court. Councilor Faazino-said he preferred' that -the ordinance exact civil penalty. -Councilme r-Sher-said'he did- not- think&it' was -a'good' idea to use the crisa"ina?'Sanction. He also did- not care*.for* the. Small tme Court as a place- to' settle such -disputes, for 1 aerygee:witre wt. allowed and there was. meth i nfortell 1 ty. Constitutional requitemett'. entered into the matter --it raised a question,-- He •askedwlaat the.rcle• of the Policy and Procedures' Committee would' bee. according' to the' inert -of the motion. Was the- Coal ttee • to draw up an "- ordinance , or : just ` to .review the general question? He set out some of .the consideratiOnsetivaretther assi gr eent would raise. Mayor Carey said • t e notion to' refer was :four` further study. Councilmember Sher said he was- not -clear-as ' to' whether' oar. not the Committee was to decide- if there should be' an ordinance. Counctlmember° Pazzino said he -had raised: the'.a tter of rent control a month ago at Council meeting; and at' that = t1 ' a- request` was made that he bring specific guidelines to -Council oneeharthe•Cotenittee was to do. He would like the Committee to'look at the `guidelines his motion set out. If the Coateittee decided to: go. in a' dii,€eeent direction when making its recommendation that was the- COMM ttet prerogative," even if it did nob' include drafting an ordinance. Vice Mayor Henderson noted that -the mew from` touecitmeabers Clay and Fazz1no asked that ":..our plan'be triatediatety.submittael.to the Policy and. Procedures Committee for review and development fit" en ordinance." NOTION TO REFER PASSED: The motion that Council' refer' the matter of Pc ttioe'13 tax savings -refunds to tenants'to`the Policy and Procedures Committee passed on a unanimous vote. ORAL. COMMICATIOIS None t TF . 'ION: Councibssater '. r ` , . seconded. byr f a no; that tlea Council refseetia taetWr log t 'finance' and 7i olibieks' Cori ttee and direct staff -440410r the l - fns the'petitiOn-tainettted to the; City Clerk t-ev ing• ern1 -traff1c.on' llten Avow east of plddlefield and. repert to the linanoc *M. #abhtc''Works' Committee -by January 30, 1979, w1th-its findings. C r _ Witherspoon 'observed thet ina :traffic -was ' not 1 United to- Moil v *; .A ' Wi.,tthe' le' proVearor ral traffic circutatis in t t'ar 1'of .� :.:..?1 W froard Palo Alto and' ire; should be coked at. Amer . ty said- he iad`a b t ch . had planned to put, on' ` t week's ' e ebe I Mg' ter vote for the *aim hefOrt Coil noMlir heraever-9 ` 4 Cr Covent only minor port oft whele traffic picture. 378 12/11/78 Councilmember Clay said- that if there -was • to' be any"closure (of streets ) he would vote against it. Mayor Carey agreed with Councilmember Clay --he 'dtd• not think traffic on Hamilton was a major problem at present, ..Councilo r Brenner 'said that the •prvblerir:wss -broad, 'extending from boundary to boundary. The- petition -ads seed a°specific problem, and she thought that specific -problem should be glven°Cduncil attention. MOTION. PASSED: The motion that Council' refer the' ma 'to- the Finance and Public Works ' Cce l ttee and direct staff to . tonslder- the- proposal in the. petition submettted to 'the 'City Cterk. that' sventlxg' concerning traffic on Hamilton Avenge'east of Middlefield; andreport- to:the Finance and Public Works Committee by January 3O;1979; with its -findings, passed on the following vote: AYES: Brenner, Eyerly ; • Fauuiroi' Fletcher; • Nendersen Sher,. Witherspoon NOES: Carey, Clay ILLS Ot�C ltJ�iTTI IN BAYLANDS r.wrtis�rwrm�.rw�s.rr��. r.rr��e� Council/amber Sher -said a friend' had told•h sin` tilatPwhile walking in the Baylands he had discovered a smatl'duckblind and'also encountered hunters with guns; Counci lmemberr Sher wondered if state- game -wardens or the like could help- with• that problem. MUTTON: " Council ember Sher -moved, • secon 'brHendeasNon, that Counci 1 direct staff tO report on -what- saeaauret- MOW. be taken' tn. stop i l legal hunting in the Bayl ands : The"moti on passed on C unani ems voice vote. TREES ON' WEBSTER BLOCK Councilmember Eyerly noted that Cour+,c u n hit a- letter from Jean Libby speaking -about trees. on Me' Webst Slbak, along with' a suggestion that. tbsrs of the Tree Car rtttee -and Webster icod residents meet . informally to • discuss the' rattan • • Coaiicl l r` S was Council's liaison with Palo Alto Housing' Corporation. We. would Itke•Councilae*r Sher to setup such ' a meeting) and bring bick - t COOn `t issues and possible solutions. Counci bemsber Sher said he felt' confident Sylrriat:Smean of the Housing Corpors►tf was' abreast' of: rie ;`the Woulting Corporation and that WO soul d ` .ba giving the' ttar the e -on-Webster block serious attention at its 11114tting. NOTION ; Couch lwomber Clay' * . sanondetbrfleteher;•thlt the meeting ad'j+ n. • The estlon per' off! r ice' voice vote. Camel adjo d • at 11:15Qpsi.. 3 9 12/11/73