HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-08-08 City Council Summary MinutesCITY
COUNCIL
M1NUTES
CITY
OF
PALO
ALTO
Regular Meeting of August 8, 1977
ITEM PAGE
Minutes of July 5, 1977 8'5
Oral Communications 8 5
Consent Calendar 8 6
Designation of Enforcement Agencies for Solid Waste
Management —Repealing Resolution 5431 8 6
NCPA Joint - Powers Agreement; Amendment to Agreement 8 6
Request to Increase Schedule for Leash Law Violations 8 7
520 ?aybell Avenue; Rescission of Ordinance 2995
Relating to Zoning Classification 8 7
Public Employees Retirement System Amendtent to
Contract
629 Lytton Avenue - Approval of Application for Final.
Condominium Subdivision 4ap;:Application of Mdearis
for liaashi Associates
Public Hearing an Charges: Weed Abatement Program
Appointments to Planning Coemriaeion - Two Terms
August 1, 1977 - July 31, 1981
Policy and Procedures Committee Recommendations to
Council re Card Rooms
•
Amendment to PAMC Chapter 10.10 re Sidewalk Sales
73-56 -. Erbarcadero Road Reconstruction East of Bayshore
Freeway - Report of Bids 1 0 1
Palo Alto Water Rate Schedule for the Sale of Hauled
Reclaimed Water 1 0 2
Request of Coumcilm ember Pletcher re AR402 (Ingalls) 1 0 3
Request of Vice Mayor Brenner re SB346 1 0 3
Request of Councilmember Henderson re Newspaper Recycling
Effort 1 0 6
Request of Mayor Sher re Energy Bill HR 8444 1 0 6
8 7
87
87
8 8
89
1 0 1
i
1
ITEM
Request of Mayor Sher re Procedure for Confirming
Appointments to PACCC
PACE
1 0 6
Mayor Sher re Counci.l.member Eyerly - Senior Coordinating
Council Liaison 1 0 8
Cancellation of August 15 Council Meeting 1 0 8
Oral Communications 1 0 8
Adjournment 1 0 8
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8/8/77
August 8, 1977
Regular Meeting
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date. at 7:35 p.n.,
in a regular meeting with Mayor Sher preaidiag.
PRESENT: Brenner, Carey, Eyerly, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson,
Sher, Witherspoon
ABSENT: Clay
Mayor Sher announced that an Executive Session regarding litigation
would take place either after the meeting or during the break.
Mlti'i'TSS aF .a,ruJ6.fLY_ 5, r 1977
rnmu.�� r e rie�r
Conncilmember Henderson asked that the fourth paragraph from the
bottom of page 5 have added co it the words "He said `Rather than having
solar inatailatione approved by the ARB he would prefer some basic
municipal code regulations to protect neighbors and leave as much
freedom as possible to installers.'" be added. On Page 15, fourth
paragraph from the bottom, he asked that the following sentence be
added: "He felt certain that the City Attorney, if directed to do so
by the Council, could amend the ordinance to free The Maseage Center, a
tonally legitimate business, to locate in any commercially zoned area."
Mayor Sher asked that on Page 17, sixth paragraph from the bottom, the
seventh line the word "no" be deleted and the line read instead: "...but
discussion about candidates for the position could not be held...."
MOTION: Coubtcii ember Carey moved, seconded by Fazzino, that the
minutes be approved as corrected. The motion passed on a unanimous
voice vote, Councilme er Clay absent.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1. Mrs. Harold C. Otis, 909 North California Avenue, praised
the Palo Alto Paramedics, the Fire Department and the
Police Department, for their dedicated personnel. She gave
reasons for her belief that control of the Paramedic program
should remain with Palo Alto, rather than with Santa Clara
County.
2. Arcate Alden, 558 Lincoln Avenue, praised the Paramedic
program, and especially its swiftness in arriving after
being called. He hoped that they would etsy under Palo Alto
rather than county control, so their quality would not drop.
Councfleember Clay arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Mayor Sher said that Council had received no proposal that
Palo Alto should relinquish the Paramedic service to the
county; it was true that the county vas investigating Para-
medic service for the county at large. Should such a
proposal be made, an announcement would be made so that
people would have ample tine to comment on it.
3. Evelyn Telboy, 124 Emerson Street, expressed concern about
trees ono Palo Alto parkways which gave a poor impression --she
asked that though there were difficulties and expense con-
nected with watering, that the City sake a serious effort to
save its expensive plantings by using re: -cycled water.
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8/8/77
4e
Bruce Braunstein, 836 Seale Avenue, proposed that the tee -
smoking ordinance applicable to theaters be extended to
restaurants, where, at present, the smoke of other patrons
interfered with his enjoyment of his meals.
Mayor Sher said that at the time of the adoption of the
no -smoking ordinance it had been decided to let restaurants
administer the ordinance on a voluntary basis. A member of
the Council could, if desired, put the matter on the agenda
for re -consideration.
5. Ethel Anderson, 360 Colorado Avenue, expressed discontent
with the present system of water rationing, which she
thought was unfair. She preferred rationing on the per -
capita basis.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Referral Items
None
Action Items
Coui_eilme;ber Fletcher asked that Item 1, concerning reconstruction
of Embarcaderu Road, be removed from the Consent Calendar.
Cauncilmeraber Witherspoon asked that Item 4, concerning the water
rate schedule, be removed.
Councilmember Faa.zino asked that Item 2 concerning sidewalk sales,
be removed.
The following items remained on the Consent Calendar:
DESIGNATION OF ENFORCEMENT
!ENCIF.S F'O;R SOLID WASTE
MANAGFIENT—REFEALING RESOLUTION 5431 (cm: 406 : i )
Staff recommends that Council repeal Resolution 5431 and approve
Resolution 5439 in order to clarify enforcement responsibilities to
the satisfaction of the State Solid Waste Management Board (SSeMB).
ORDINANCE 5439 entitled "RESOLUTION OP THE COUNCIL OF Te E
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO DESIGNATING CITY ENFORCEMENT'
AGENCIES UNDER THE SOLID BASTE CONTROL ACT OP 1976
AND REPEALING RESOLUTION 5431."
NCPA JOINT -POD AGREEMENT
A;M E ENiT DOA NT' ( . 39'4: 3 )
The proposed change in the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA)
Joint Powers Agreement provides that the Controller and the Treasurer
of the City of Palo Alto serve in these respective positions for the
NCPA. While several hours of work per mouth for both will be necessary
to execute this responsibility, staff believes that it is desirable
that the City assume a more responsible role in the leadership and
administration of NCPA. Staff recommends that Council, by motion
action, adopt the proposed amendment to the NCPA Joint Powers agreement.
8 6
8/8/77
REQUEST TO INCREASE SCHEDULE
FOR LEASH LAW VIOLATIONS
The City Attorney and staff request that Council pass a motion
directing the City Attorney to request an increase in the bail
schedule for violation of Sections 6.16.100 and 6.16.110 of the
Palo Altc Municipal Code, from $15 to $25.
520 MAYBELL AVENUE
RESCISSION OF ORDINANCE 2995,
RELATING TO ZONING CLASSIFICATION
ORDINANCE 3009 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO RESCINDING ORDINANCE 2995
RELATING TO A CHANGE OF ZONING CLASSIFICATION
FOR PROPERTY KNOWN AS BARRON SQUARE LOCATED AT
520 MAYBELL AVENUE "=First reading July 25, 1977)
PUBLIC EMPLOYFEB RETIREPIENT SYSTEM
AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT
ORDINANCE 3010 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF TRE
CITY OF PALO ALTO AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION
OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC FMPLOYEZS° RETIREMENT SYSTEM."
(First reading 7/25/77)
629 LY T ION AVENUE - APPROVAL OF APPLICATION
FOR FINAL CONDOMINIUM SUBD/VI5XON LEAP
APPLICATION OF
MEDEARIS
FOR
HIZASHI
ASSOCIATES
The Planning Commission, by a vote of 5 in favor, 2 absent, recommends
approval of the application of Robert W. Medearie for Hizeshi. Associates
for a Final Condominium Subdivision Hap at 629 Lytton Avenue subject to
conditions listed in the staff report of July 22, 1977.
Mayor Sher observed to Councilmembers that the item relating to
629 Lytton Avenue had been expedited in accord with a provision of the
Comprehensive Plan which relates to such subdivisions as made in -lieu
payments for low-cost housing.
MOTION: Councilmenber Eyerly moved, seconded by Henderson, that
Council approve the Consent Calendar action items, adopt the resolu-
tion, and approve the ordinances and the amendments, as well as the
final subdivision map. The motion passed on a unanimous vote, Council-
membera Carey, Clay and Witherspoon voting "ac" on Ordinance 3009
rescinding Ordinance 2995, concerning 520 Mayball Avenue.
PUBLIC HEARING ON CHARCES:
ABATh lra Pc _ : 408:7 )
Mayor Sher announced that it was the time and place set for a public
hearing on Resolution 5440 for the charges levied for need abatement
on private property under the agreement with Santa Clara County. Fe
declared the public hearing open and asked that the record show that
notice of the hearing had been given in the time, manner, and form
provided in Chapter 8.08 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code. HA asked
City Clerk Ann Tanner if she had received any written objections.
Receiving her answer in the negative, he asked if anyone in the
audience wished to speak on the ratter. Receiving no replies, he
declared the public hearing closed end asked that the record show
that no persona appeared or filed written objections against these
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8/8/77
charges for weed abatement performed in accordance with the Municipal
Code and under the agreement for administration of weed abatement
entered into between the City of Palo Alto and Santa Clara County,
and that any resolution passed by the Council on this matter will
reflect this finding. He said the chair would entertain a motion to
confirm the assessments by adopting the resolution.
MOTION: Councilmember Carey moved, seconded by Fazzino, that Council
adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION 5440 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF Tile CITY OF PALO ALTO CONFIRMING WEED ABATEM .?NT
REPORT AND ORDERING COST OF ABATEMENT TO BE A
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ON THE RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES
HEREIN DESCRI BED . "
Councilmember Eyerly asked if weed abatement took place on some of
the large areas in the Upper and Lower Foothills --did fire lanes
take are of the fire hazard? Were the Mullen or Eldridge properties
under the weed abatement provision, for example?
Ben Pawloski, Director of Public Works, said that in the past some
weed abatement had been done on City -owned parcels In that area, but
at the present different means of fire control were used.
Cary Smith of the County Weed Abatement programs said he would check
on the information and advise Council.
Mr. Paw -lc -ski said that at a meeting about a month ago at Foothills
Park on the matter the staff had commented that there was general
apathy on the matter of weed abatement.
Councilmember Eyerly said he would like to see a written report on the
matter before suggesting Council take further steps.
Councilmember Carey said the Foothills posed a potential fire danger
and he asked that Council have a report by the August 15 meeting.
Mr. Pawloski said that did not give much time. A problem in years
past about fire control had been that, for example, were disking
done, it was followed by erosion problems. At present even disking
could not be done, for the disc would not cut into the very dry soil,
Councilmember Carey said he thought the requirement for fire control
was urgent ---be would like to see a report as soon as possible. If
not this week, perhaps next week staff could have a report to Council.
Mr. Pawloski said that the City was doing some fire protection —they
had held seminars on farm managementpractices in the Foothills ----perhaps
not enough was being done, however. He said staff would send a report
to Council in the packet.
MOTION PASSED: The motion that Council adopt the resolution
confirming weed abatement and ordering coat of abatement to be a
special asaiessment on respective properties passed on a unanimous vote.
I98
TP Q mMs - ALiCUST I , 1917 - JuL a 1 >
mu�®.era.od �r�.w��:�am��d
Mayor Sher said that many fine qualified applicants had shown desire
to serve on the Planning Commission to fill two expired terms. He
read the list of names:
8 8
8/8/77
Jutta Canes
Michael W. Cobb
Edith T. Eddy
Douglas Patrick Harper
Edward Marguerit
J. Richard McMichael
Harrison G. Otis
Joseph L. Podolsky
Richard M. Trainer
William R. Caster
Dale Denson
Mary D. Gordon
Charles tlartsog
Robert Moss
Frederic H. Nichols
Richard C. Placone
Emily M. Renzel.
Clarene H. Watts
Council had interviewed a number of the applicants, and they would vote
that evening to fill two terms, to run from August 1, 1977, to
July 31, 1981. Council would use paper ballots and the Clerk would
announce the votes after each ballot. When a candidate received five
votes the vacancy would be filled. Each term would be voted on
separately. Councilmember Fletcher was asked to serve as teller to
collect votes.
Emily M. Renzel Appointed
Emily M. Renzel, on the 7th ballot, was appointed to fill the first
position, for a four year term ending July 31, 1951.
Mary D. Gordon Appointed
Mary D. Gordon, on the I 1 tip ballot for the second poattion, was
appointed for a four year tern ending July 31, 1981.
POLICY Airs PROCEDsJRES COM!"i1TTE_
RECOMMENDATIONS �T`O COUNC I L RE CARD ROOMS
Vice Mayor Brenner, Chairman of the Policy and Procedures Committee,
introduced the following recommendations and moved their adoption
by Council:
A. There should be a limit o:t the number of tables
in any one establishment, to 13;
B. There should be no hidden principals in the business
and every stockholder or partner, or any person holding
an interest in then business exceeding 5 percent of its
total assets should be required to be disclosed
initially and whenever any change occurs;
C. All indebtedness of the business, other then that
from commercial lending institutions or trade creditors
not exceeding 1 percent of the asset value of the business
should be disclosed;
D. There should be no transfer of licensee, nor any ex-
pansion of the number of tables in any existing establishment;
E. Fess for card row should be substantially increased,
to more closely reflect the actual costs of what will be
continuing investigation. Fees of $500 per table annually
and 525 annually for each employee not engaged solely in
other than card room businesses (for exile, bartenders,
waiters, and sellers of merchandises, and the like,) shall be set.
F. A phase -out of all alcoholic beverage licenses on the
premises should be enacted;
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8/8/77
G. That no new licenses be issued;
H. That staff report back to the
and/or the City Council, whenever
problem exists with regard to the
Policy and Procedures C<nmitcee,
they perceive that a major
card parlors; and
I. That staff bring to the City Council more complete
information on table limits or bets,
Gary Dell, 971 Marquette Lane, Foster City, spoke as an employee of the
Cameo Club, and questioned why an employee should have to pay $25 to
work at a card room. He responded to the phrase in H, of "whenever
they perceive that a major problem exists with regard to the card
parlors;" and he said it implied clairvoyance on the part of the
Committee and Council. He held be was jest a man working on a job to
support his family, just like anyone else.
Harold Spielberg, 3901 El Camino, said he was president of Bildon,
Incorporated, doing business as El Rancho Casino in Palo Alto. He
asked "Why are card casinos being punished for not creating trouble?"
Staff had acknowledged that there had been no serious trouble with
card casinos. He wondered if Palo Alto was considering the problem
because other cities had had problems. If, as the City Attorney held,
the City had the right to allow and regulate card rooms, he asked that
the Council not abuse that power, and to legislate from knowledge and
need, and not from whims and ignorance of card casinos. On the matter
of limiting the number of tables, that limit had been set by the fire
department according to the capacity of the building. The El Rancho
Casino had lost business because of the mandatory 2 a.m. closing -time,
and consequently had had to reduce the number of tables to ten; they
were being frozen to hold to that number of table. now. He asked that
the proposed recommendations be amended to allow the number of tables
to be set by the fire department The charge of $500 to be paid to
the Clay so that the police could check out the card rooms he maintained
was double taxation, for the card rooms already paid taxes for City
services. The use and sale of alcohol was already strictly regulated
by the Alcohol Control Board, and that license was difficult to obtain,
The Alcohol Control Board had to be notified of change in ownership
and the like, and he thought that was sufficient surveillance. He
did not see why card rooms in Palo Alto "deserve this kind of treatment."
Diana Collins, 2309 Rock. Street, Mountain Views, was an employee at
the Cameo Club, said that the "expert", in quotation marks, of the
Palo Alto Police Depertwsent, on card games, did not know anything about
card genes. She said the rules the Council was proposing were
rules used in other cities, end they were not working there She
said that bridge clubs did not play for just a penny a point. So far
as drug use was concerned, "the entire world ban a drug problem,"
and it did not start in card rooms. A aver of the Police Department
hed visited °the card rooms once since the last Committee meeting, and
he had only stayed one minute and watched one hand of draw poker.
She felt the Policy and Procedures Committee and the Council were
taking action on something they knew nothing about.
Denny Petrosian, 443 Ventura Avenue, said she hoped the $40.00
licit on bets would be adopted. She said she would like to haee the
matter of a possible five --year amortization of card rooms discussed.
She referred to a "sizable drug transaction" as a sample of how
other disagreeable problems could anise and escalate, and she
said that Chief Zurcber had said that such problems were not only
possible but also probable. She said It was unpleasant living near
* card room with patrons parking near her hie. She asked that
interests in fairness not lead to overlooking fair treatment for
businesses other than card rooms, which she said were a deteriorating
influence. She wondered what amount of business had bean transacted
to result is an overhead of $500,000 per year, and 16 employees.
9 0
8/8/77
Robert DePonte, 444 Boynton Avenue, San Jose, asked if the minutes
of the Policy and Procedures Committee meeting of July 19, 1977, was
a total verbatim report. Receiving an answer in the negative, he said
he thought they had been written with a bias, with good points having
been left out end bad points included. He said the Cameo Club, of
which he was an employee, had been in that location for about 40 years.
The building was, of course, deteriorating. He extended "a formal
invitation" to anybody to come inside and aee what was going on.
He said many people enjoyed playing cards, -and he -thought they were
entitled to do that as much as a golfer to play golf.
Nancy Buffum, 4078 Ben Lomond Drive, said she thought Chief Zurcher
and some City officials "smelled a rat" and wanted to put an end to
gambling places in Palo Alto. She supported his stand.
Steve Peckler, 240 Fernando, held that high schools and colleges
attracted drug dealers. So far as the deterioration of the area was
concerned, he had seen derelicts and drunks going into the liquor
stores and bars in the area; also he objected to the proposed charges
to the employees and per table, for he felt they were double taxation.
Mayor Sher confirmed with Councilme ere that the pzocedure of dealing
with each part of the recommendations separately vas agreeable.
Co"nsci!member Henderson asked if Chief Zurcher would give Council some
background on crime and arrest records relative to card rooms.
Chief Zurcher said that, as he had said in his report, there had been
cnly minor problems relating to card rooms. One allusion to a
cocaine sale had been taken out of context, for the Police Department
had not meant to imply that an inordinate amount of drug traffic
was related to card rooms, but only that that had been one classification
they had investigated.
Councilm►ember Henderson said he felt strongly about any business or
other residence that disturbed a residential area though he did not
want to eliminate buainesses just because he himself did not approve
of the business. Re had visited a couple of card rooms ii_n the past and
he had witnessed no obvious problems during his visit. Be did not want
to penalize businesses because of potential problems. He was ► n ommmLitted
on the number of card tables that should be permitted to operate --perhaps
ten was a reasonable number; ha felt the proposed phase -out of
alcoholic beverage licenses was unfair; he proposed nev stipulations
so far as estabiiebiog new licenses for card rooms; he did not favor
Corrected placing an upper licit of $40.00 on bete since patrons tended to "play
See pg. 143 ups those limits," sad that limitation would be hard to enforce. Be
said he would move new limitation* for 0, relating to new licenses, wheu
Council discussion got that far.
CouncUae ber Passim said he did not think the City had the right to
shut down a iegitizaaats business simply becauaa it was unpopular with some
segment of the community; he himself enjoyed card playing. He had visited
a card room a feast weeks back and bad observed co major problems though he
saw "some pathetic human conditions." Since there vea not much indication
that problems existed with Palo Alto card rock he did not, therefore,
support an immediate shutdown or short terms phase -out. There were
potential problems, and he did not want to have another "massage parlor"
condition. Be thought caul parlors should be permitted to exist under
controlled circumstances, with the proviso that staff report to Council
"on the situation" in two years. He asked Chief Zurcher his personal
view of the effect of phase -out of alcoholic beverages on the card room
premises.
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8/6/77
Chief Zurcher said people :jade better judgments without alcohol, in his
opinion, adding that no problems had arisen from the Alcoholic
Beverage Council (ABC). He did not know if there were free drinks; he
did know the bar was a pay-as-you-go operation.
Mayor Sher stated that free drinks had been prohibited in the Council's
restrictiona put on card rooms some weeks back.
Council her Witherspoon said she recalled Council having asked the
City Attorney to give theca an idea of a reasonable amortization period.
City Attorney Booth said he thought that between five and ten years
would be an appropriate length of time.
Council.member Witherspoon asked if violation of any of the stipulations
which were proposed and had been enacted would lead to relocation of the
permit, and she also asked if any of the present card room locations
were in non -conforming use ender the Comprehensive Plan. She wondered
if they were conforming to Neighborhood Commercial, for example.
Mr. Booth answered that the City would have to bring charges that would
be appealable to the court, were there any violation of card room
stipulations. So far as land use, only two card rooms on El Camino
might have non-conformance with the land use prescribed by the Compre-
hensive Plan.
Councilmeuber Witherspoon said that since Palo Alto was largely resi-
dential and since the state gave local communities the right to
determine what businesses' it would and would not permit, she had some Corrected
persuasion not to have card rooms in Palo Alto. She favored the See pg. 143
Committee reco ndationa with some reservations on the one concerning
alcoholic beverages, since that had not given cause for dissatisfaction,
She did not want card rooms to proliferate and said she would like to
see than amortized, toward the ten-year time limit.
Couauciliber Carey said that Council had some weeks ago passed
a list of limitations on card rooms and was now faced with another
list, with a regrettable emission of some stipulation on geographical
location, regrettable because he thought residential areas should be
separate from con ere;isl, and particularly commercial which was
controversial. At the same time, there had a been some feeling that
Palo Alto was "going to get rid of the card rooms." and he thought
that Palo Alto could wind up a very dull place with such reasoning.
As C*uncilmembsr he tried to hold a position between trying to please
the citizens and trying to do what he thought was best, without becoming
dictatorial . Card rooms were at present giving only minor problems and
no problem at all with the Alcoholic Beverage Council --legislation
with no more cause than that had to be thought about carefully, and
constitutional concerns bad to be kept in mind. . OaItem C, he ques-
tioned the validity of the City having to know the indebtedness of the
business so far as monitoring against crime ---knowing income would be more
to the point; on item D, to restrict an owner of a business from
relot aating hied the effect of phasing him out of business, and also
it could min that when the lease expired the landlord had undue
leverage; on Item P, since there vas no crime to speak of at present,
he questioned the basis for eliminating the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Be said he planned to vote against most of the reecommendstions for.
reasons he had given.
City Attorney Booth said that the purpose ior knowing the indebtedness
of a. card room was to prevent evasion of the requirement that the
ownership of the business be exposed; the City wished to know
who would not be licensable.
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Councilmember Carey asked how the requirement to know indebtedness
differed from the requirement that there be no hidden principal.
Mr. Booth replied that oue who vaa shown a, ra creditor is not nec-
essarily a principal, at least in theory. Coverage of information
was necessary both ways so that one could not be evaded by claiming
to be the other.
Mayor Sher noted that Item B was talking about hidden stockholders
as partners, and C talked about creditors, and he said turu1ative.
facts were disclosed.
Mt. Booth said that Councilsember Carey' es comments on item D had some
merit but transfer of licer.ae had been opposed on the theory that one
of the licen6eholders could move from a small place to a larger and
"significantly expand the business." If it were desired to phase out
card roes non -transferability would be one way to do so.
Councilmesaber Carey said that unless a card room owned its own property
sooner or later it vouId want to re -locate. He thought it was better
to phase out such buasineeas directly, rather than indirectly by re-
stricting transfer of licenses.
Mr. Booth said he had intended, by his remarka, to point out that there
were many reasons for relocating businesses. So far as phasing out
licenses to sell alcoholic beverages the monitoring by state-wide
regulatory agencies was. now :strict, and most of it was directed to
preventing sales to minors, mislabeled alcohol, and the like.
Vice Mayor Brenner said ohe thought the ordinance was aimed toward
containment. Amortization, aimed at bringing usage on El Camino into
conformance with zoning given in the Comprehensive Plan, was a
separate subject, and it should be addressed when the topic was
rezoning. In general she favored the proposed ordinance. That charge
of $500 per table was not a part of the action, and business license
charges were designed to cover costs of administration.
Councilmember Clay asked if a limit on the number of card rooms in
Palo &tto had already been net.
Mrs Booth replied that wee correct.
Mayor Sher asked if it was correct that the limit had been set with a
time limit, that is, until the Committee reported back with its
recommendations.
Mr. tooth said tt t the limit was set with the understanding thet it
eight be changed after all the facts had been considered.
Councilmember Clay said that it had been said that there was no such
thing ess limited ordinsne*, end the limdt, therefore, was in effect.
He recalled that the basic consideration had been one to control
proliferation et canard room. Actual problems had bean shy to be
fee and action against potential problem, should they surface, had
not been worked out. Tor those reasons he would seapport only those
portions of the Commi_tte es recommend/aims which had to de with
control of proliferation. He did not want to allocate more City money
to police card room. He supported Items A and E, and opposed C.
He opposed transfer of licenses, but he had reservations about
relocation. He appalled E$ T and G --Item G on the basis that a limit
on the number of card rooms already existed. He favored H and
opposed 1.
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8/5/77
Hr. Booth said that the present ordinance limited the present number
of licenses to five, and it did not limit new licenses.
Councilmember Eyerly waked about Item E --he asked Vice Mayor Brenner
why she bad said that the charges for tables and employees were
not part of the motion. Did she mean that she wanted recommendations
from staff on those charges?
Vice Mayor Brenner said that staff recommendations had run to those
costs, and further recommendation was needed.
Coun i1ra aber Eyerly aaid he favored the recorramendrtions in general.
Palo Alto, with its five card rooms, was second only to San Jose in
this county. San Jose's seven card rooms gave a ration of one card
room to about every 80,000 people, and Palo Alto had one for every
11,000 people. He wanted such activity to be under control, and he
would support the recommendations. He referred to the Committee
Minutes of July 19, 1977, ptge 21, point #8 in the re -stated motion
had lost on a 2-2 vote. The natter dealt with a statement of gross
receipts end he felt that money bred problems. Therefore he would ask
that the "reasonable fee" statement referred to in the minutes in
Item E be incorporated into Item 1 in the proposed recommendations
before them. He would move it at the appropriate time.
Coun.ciImember Fletcher said that the limit on the number of card
tables was effective until action was taken on the proposed recom-
rendations. She asked if it were possible to renew the licenses
annually? Renewal could be withheld if large problems developed.
Police Chief Zurcher said there were provisions in the municipal code
to revoke, suspend, or not re -issue the license for some specific
causes. He preferred prevention of causes rather than to correct
them.
Council .tuber Fletcher said she preferred giving the licenseholders
the benefit of the doubt at present, since "prevention" was speculative.
Mayor Sher said he was not opposed to reasonable regulations for
control, and he wanted to prevent proliferation of card roorna in
Palo Alto. He did not want to act against recreations simply because
he did not like thy, but be did not want to give existing businesses
a monopoly, either. Competition could perhaps make it possible for
some de -regulation to occur. He elso thought it beat to have some
distance regulations so that card rooms would not be next to acbools,
and eo on. He said he would bring each recommendation forward one
at a time.
PART' A OF NOTION ( PASSED: Part A, that there should be a limit on the
number of tables to any one establishment, to 13, passed on a unanimous
vote.
PART 11 OF NOTION PASSED: Part R, that there should be no hidden
principals in the business and every stockholder or partner, OT any
person holding an interest Ln the business exceeding 5% of its total
assets should be required to be disclosed initially and whenever any
change occurs, passed on a unanimous vote.
PART C OF NOTION PASSED: Part C. that all indebtedness of the business
other than that from commercial lending institutions or trade creditors
not exceeding 1 percent of the asset value of the business should be
disclosed, paused on the following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Eyerly, Fazaiao, Pletcher, Henderson, Sher,
Witherspoon
rocs: Carey, Clay r
9h
8111/77
AMENDMENT TO PART D: Councilman Carey moved, seconded by Clay, that
the words, "and no relocation to different premises of existing
licenses," be deleted.
Councilmesssber Henderson said he thought the phrase "nor any expansion
of the number of tables in any existing establishment" was an inequity.
Mayor Sher said he would entertain that suggestion as another motion
at another time.
Vice Mayor Brenner said she understood that the proposed amendment
meant that the same liceaseholder could relocate, but not shift
ownership of the license in any way. Mr. Carey responded in the
affirmative.
AMENDMENT TO PART D PASSED: The went, that the words "and no
relocation to different premises of existing licenses," be deleted
passed on the following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Carey, Clay, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson,
Sher
NOES: Eyerly, Witherspoon
Councilmember Henderson repeated that the words "nor any expansion
of the amber of tables in any existing establishment," vas an
:inequity for smell card parlors.
Mayor Sher said that he thought items D and C tended to hold matters
relating to card rooms together, as they ere, and he suggested that
CounciImember Henderson raise his issue when G was being considered.
MOTION TO BRING G FORWARD OUT OF ORDER: Councilsaember Carey moved,
seconded by Fazzino, that item C be considered before Items E and F.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
SUBSTI rUTh MOTION FOR 0: Council sr Henderson moved, seconded by
Fazzino, a substitute for 0 to read that no new card room operations
will be permitted within 250 feet of any public school or residential
area, or within 1200 f net of any existing card room':
Councilnember Witherspoon voiced concern that Council wee beef Pg off
from what the Policy and Procedures Committee had arrived at after a
great deal of discussion. Sbe was concerned that it was sounding
both as though card rooms would relocate and have up to 13 tables.
Cousnci menber Clay said he shared her misgivings. If the substitute
aotioa were to pass it could not be estimated how stay new card rooms
might be established. Be said he would vote against it.
Councileember Carey said ha would like to vote for the substitute
notion. Re thought that to avoid the monopoly aspect there should
be a lower limit of tables. Be tit four or five tablets seemed
reasonable, for new es tab li.shments . Be asked that Co nc ilsse.i e r
Henderson incorporate that wording in his substitute motion.
ADDITION TO SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Councilmember Henderson said he would
add the words, "and no new card rooms shall contain more than five
tabu each." Councilmember Faxeino, the ascend to the substitute
anotian, agreed to the incorporation.
Coco cilmmei er Clay said the added words would create an inconsistency
with Item D, for it had stated there sees to be no expansion.
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8!8/77
Mayor Sher acknowledged that was so, and said Council would return
to Item D.
Councllmember Clay said he also waa concerned about the possibility
of creating monopolies, but in this case there were other towns that
had card rooms.
Councilmember Eyerly asked for an estimate of how many new estab-
lishments could be opened under the proposed amendment,
Mr. Booth replied that theoretically there could be as many as
eighteen.
Counci1v et ber Eyerly calculated that could mean 48 many as ninety new tables.
tables. He said he would certainly vote against it.
Vice MLayor Brenner said the argument against establishing a monopoly
was persuasive except that when there were five roomsexisting there
was not really a monopoly. She said that containment and reduction
were the goal. She saw nothing wrong with reducing the present
number, for there was a disproportionate number. She asked if
Menlo Park, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Woodside or Portola Valley
had card rooms, and if Palo Alto was taking care of all the card
playing for the area.
Jack Garner, Police Department, said neither Los Altos nor Menlo Park
had any card rooms. He did not know about Los Gatos.
Counci1member Henderson assured that there were eighteen possible
locations for card row.
Mr. Booth, City Attorney, said some of the areas where card rooms
would be permitted were in industrial areas, some on EL Camino and
some Downtown and California Avenue. The sate zoning peroissibility
had been worked out in relation to massage parlors.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION ON FART G PASSED: The substitute motion, that no
new card room operations will be permitted within 250 feet of any
public school or residential area or within 1200 feet of any existing
card roam, and no new card rooms shall contain more than five tables
each, passed on the following vote:
AYES: Carey, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher
NOES: Clay, Brenner, Eyer3.y, Witherspoon
Mayor Sher raised the matter of the limit of tables for Part D.
AMENDMENT TO PART 0: Councilmember Henderson mowed, seconded by
passing, that the last phrase in Item 0 be corrected to read, "nor
any expansion of the number of tables in any existing establishment,
beyond the present number, or five, whichever is greater."
Mayor Sher asked if that additional phrase would permit the MO
which presently bad more than five tables to continue. Councilmember
Henderson concurred.
Corrected
See pg. 143
AMENDMENT TO PART 0 PASSED: The amendmentpassed on the following vote:
,YES: Carey, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher
NOES: Brenner, Clay, Eyerly, Witherspoon
9b
8/8/77
PART D AS AMENDED PASSED: Part D, amended to read: "There should be
no transfer of licenses, nor any expansion of the number of tables in
any existing establishment beyond present number, or five, whichever
is greater", passed on the following vote:
AYES: Carey, Clay, Eyerly, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson,
Sher
NOES: Brenner, Witherspoon
Mayor Sher said that he understood that in Item E the Committee had
recommended that fees should be changed to more nearly reflect the
cost of continuing investigation, which would be determined when
Council looked at the general matter of fee structure.
Mr. Booth said that unless directed to the contrary staff would
charge fees as specified in the minutes. So far as giving notice
of fees, the structure of such ordinances was that "Notice is hereby
given."
AMENDMENT TO PART E: Counciimember Eyerly moved, seconded by
Henderson, that "Fees shall be established at $500 per table and $25
annually for each employee not engaged solely in other than card
roan room businesses (e.g. bartenders, waiters, and sellers of
merchandise, etc.) shall be set.
Counciimember Fazzino asked for a recapitulation of how the fees to be
charged were derived.
Mr. Booth said they were based in part on ghat was charged elaewhere,
and part on an estimation of what kind of investigation was to be
required. Be said that investigation in San Jose was almost full time,
and it had only two more parlors than Palo Alto.
Chief Zurcher estimated that about $30,000 would derive from the
proposed fee schedule, which is what would be needed for one full time
officer to do the job. Council had indicated in the past that adult -
oriented activities should be closely monitored, and the police
department intended to do that.
Council a bet Carey said he thought perhaps the 'little guy" with a
beer parlor could not afford substantially increased fees. That eight
wean the professional car3 people coming in because they could afford it.
He did not want to say finally that night that $500 was the right figure,
though he thought ooze increase was appropriate. He had liked the "if"
wording of E.
Councilmea►b4 r Eyerly said that with concerti for the "little guy" such
an operator with a couple of tables would not find the fee exorbitant.
That amount of money would be needed to police the activity. He
supported the proposed fee charges.
Mayor Sher asked Cbisf Zuccher what a continuing investigation would
amount to, for it had been said earlier that it would take many
departmental resources to monitor the various minds of proscribed
activities, *ucb as no free drinks end the like. Was the increased
fee designed to ferret out such violations?
Chief Zurcher said that continuing investigation would proceed
to enforce the existing legislation end also to disclose any
undesirable activities, such as cheating and loan -sharking which
accompanied the history of gambling. If numbers of establishments
were to increasefe long-term sad expensive investigation would have
to take place.
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8/8/77
AMENDMENT TO PART E PASSED: The amendment proposing firm fees of
$500 per table and $25 per employee annually passed on the following
vote:
AYES: Brenner, Carey, Eyerly, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson,
Sher, Witherspoon
NOES: Clay
PART E AS AMENDED PASSED: Part E, as amended, that fees for card rooms
should be substantially increased, to more closely reflect the actual
costs of what will be continuing investigation, and that fees of $500
per table annually, and $25 annually for each employee: not engaged
solely in other than card room businesses (e.g., bartenders, waiters,
and sellers of merchandise, etc.) shall be set, passed on the
following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Carey, Eyerly, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher,
Witherspoon
NOES: Clay
PART F FAILED: Part F, that a phase -out of all alcoholic beverage
licenses on the premises should be enacted, failed on the following
vote:
AYES: Bcerner, Eyerly, Fazzino
NOES: Carey, Clay, Fletcher
ABSTAIN: Witherspoon
Henderson, Sher
PART H PASSED: Part H, stating that
and Procedures Committee, and/or the
perceive that a major problem exists
passed on a unanimous vote.
staff report back to the Policy
City Council, whenever they
with regard to the card parlors,
Councilmember Henderson said that the information
bets had already been carried out.
on table limit for
AKENDMENT TO PART I; Councl lmember Eyerly moved, seconded by
Brenner, that Part I be amended to state that the table limit on bets
be set at $40.
Couuci.lmember Witherspoon asked if the proposed limit applied to each
round of betting. The answer was that the limit applied to any one
g.
Couacilm sber Fletcher asked if the proposed limit required constant
surveillance. She did not think it was worth the cumber of man-hours
that would require. Testimony had indicated that the "normal" bet
was considerably lover.
Chief Zurcher said that whether or not the limit would increase
the amount of bets was arguable. He felt that it would not, but
that it would prohibit large table stakes. He did not think it would
take constant investigation, but a reasonable amount of undercover
work would be required.
AMENDMENT TO PART I FAILED: The amendment to Part 1 setting a $40
limit on bets failed on the following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Carey, Eyerly, Fazzino
NOES: Clay, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher, Witherspoon
r
98
8/8/77
MOTION: Councilmember Eyerly moved, seconded by Brenner, that "Card
room licensees should be required to furnish a quarterly statement
of gross receipts in such form and in such detail as may be required
by the Chief of Police and the City Controller.
Mayor Sher referred back to Item I, indicating to Councilmembers that
the direction had already been followed by staff, and so no action
was needed.
Councilmember Witherspoon said she had voted again t Part 1 in
Committee because she thought that it was an excessive demand that
staff audit the books of card room operators, and also a fruitleas
exercise if fraud was intended.
Councilmember Henderson asked what the audit added to the matter of
control, for it seemed considerable work.
Councilmember Eyerly said that his amendment only provided for such
questions as may be required, which did not call for a lot of work
en the part of staff. If staff had a problem with licensees this
legislation could give: them help.
Councilmember Henderson answered that a single -line item was not a
way to determine if there was a problem.
Chief Zurcher said that the Police Department had intended that the
statement be provided at the licensce's expense, not that staff do the
work.
ADDITION TO MOTION: Councilmember Eyerly said he had not observed the
stipulation that the financial statement be provided at the licensee's
expense, and Councilmember Eyerly added, to the motion, "Such statement
shcuid be subject to auditing including that by independent outside
auditors at the ltcenaee'a expense.
Vice Mayor Brenner said that as second of the motion she would accept
the inclusion, but she did not support it.
Mayor Sher said that a member of the public wanted to speak to Council
again since the item being discussed at present was not on the agenda:
he did not agree because the general subject of card room issues had
been moved in Committee and this items was defeated, but under the
general rules the whole subject was before Council --perhaps there was
some unfairness that the rules under which Council operated were not
known to the public. He *ak.ed if Councilmembers agreed with him or if
they wished to hear fro% the speaker. Hearing no dissent he asked
for the vote.
MOTION FAILED: The motion, that card room licensees should be required
to furnish a quarterly statement of gross receipts in such fore and
detail as may be required by the Chief of Police and City Controller,
and that such statement should be subject to auditing including that by
independent outside auditors at the licensee's expense, failed on the
following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Eyerly, Fletcher
tOES: Carey, Clsy, Fezzino, Henderson, Sher, Witherspoon
MOTION: ION: Mayor Sher moved, seconded by Henderson, that Council
reverse their previous action that limited the number of card rooms
to five, for it was inconsistent with Part G passed tonight.
99
8/8/77
Mayor Sher explained that Council's action on G would permit rare
than five card rooms since locations were to be subject to distance
limitations. His motion was to cover a technicality.
1
Councilmember Fazzino asked about how many card rooms would be
permitted with the distance limitations. Mr. Booth replied the
number could be 18, possibly including the present card rooms ---he
did not have the map which gave the definite information.
Councilmember Witherspoon said she wanted to point out "that the only
saving grace left in this ordinance is that there are still only five
allowed in town." She did not think C WAS inconsistent, for if a
license expired or someone retired there would be a license available,
if the number were held to five. Initially the Committee had been
trying to phase out card rooms.
Mayor Sher said his point of view was zo not create a monopoly situation.
Councilmember Clay said that the avoidance of inconsistency led to a
confusing technicality.
Mayor Sher explained that if Council did not deal with the technicality
there would be distance limits and no one could get a license within
the City until one of the existing card rooms went out of business --
there was now a limit of five: inclusion of distance limitations
was merely academic until there were less than five card rooms.
When he had voted on G, he had intended that if an applicant for
another card room met the distance limitations he could establish
such a business, which would avoid the monopoly situation.
Mayor Sher added that when the previous ordinance, which he now
proposed to reverse, had been adopted, he had thought it would be
active only until the Committee recommendations came tc Council.
Vice Mayor Brenner asked if in the past there had been fewer than
five card parlors in the City.
Chief Zurcher said that in his time with the City there had been five.
Vice Mayor Brenner said that she thought that by adopting the recom-
mendations Council would be merely continuing the original direction --
she preferred to work toward lowering the number, and leave the licit
at five.
Councilmember Carey said that sheen he voted for G with the distance
limitations he had been acting to control. proliferation. The old
ordinance provided another control.
Mayor Sher asked if Council was ready to vote on reversing the
limitation to five card rooms. Ile explained that a "yes" vote
reversed the earlier action which had limited the number of card rooms
to five in number --a "no" vote ant a limit of five remained in effect.
MOTION FAILED: The motion to reverse the action of Councilwhich had
limited the number of card rooms to five, failed on the following vote:
AYES: Carey, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher
NOES: Brenner, Clay, Eyerly, Fazzino, Witherspoon
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8/8/77
Mayor Sher noted that Council had passed the recommendations one by one
and so no motion was needed for passage of the whole:. He recessed
Council, saying that a brief Executive Session would take place also.
Council recessed from 10:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
AMENDMENT TO PAMC CHAPTER 10.10 RE
SIDEWALK SALES
Councilmember Fazzino read from the proposed ordinance: Class C
temporary free closure shall not exceed three consecutive days nor
occur on the same block more than twice in any one calendar year.
He asked why City Attorney Booth had decided to include that language
in that ordinance.
Mr. Bcoth replied that it was language pertinent to other uses of
City property, such as temporary park permits; also, some merchants
Downtown, Palo Alto, had said they were comfortable with that limit.
MOTION: Cauncilmember Fazzino introduced the following ordinance
and, seconded by Henderson, moved its approval by Council:
ORDINANCE 3008 entitled ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO ADDING SECTION 10.10.O10(d)
TO THE PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL, CODE TO PERMIT SIDEWALK
SALES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.06
Vice Mayor Brenner asked the pros and cons of permitting merchants
who did not have sidewalk frontage to use spaces in front of such places
as banks and real estate of f icea.
Mr. Booth said most merchants hed enough frontage for their own uses;
the ordinance: had been vrqten rather tightly so as not to create
1oopho.les to be regretted later ----that forestalled competition for
desirable spaces. He added that the ordinance was not intended to
authorize street peddlers.
MOTION PASSED: The motion to approve the ordinance passed on a
unanimous vote.
Mr. Booth confirmed that it was to be an emergency measure, requiring
one reading, so that the sale could take place prior to the passage of
30 days.
73--56 - EMBARCADERO ROAD RECONS'TRUCTIO'N
T OF MYSHOR FREEWAY - REPORT aF ELt3S_ (CMa:401:7)
CounciImember Fletcher said that the staff confirmed that the project
complied With the Baylands Master Plan --she observed that the new
Baylands Master Plan had not yet been a;topted.
Arthur Reschke, Manager of Public Works Engineering, explained that
reconstruction of Eabercadero Road changed nothing relating to the
proposed Baylande Master Plan.
MOTION: Councilmeaher Fletcher moved, seconded by Fazzino, that
Council approve the staff recommendations that 1) the project is
categorically exempt from the requircement& of the California
Environmental Quality Act of 1970; and 2)the Mayor be authorized
to execute a contract with O'Grady Paving, Incorporated, in the
amount of $145,718.00.
MOTION PASSED: The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
8/8/77
PALO ALTO WATER RATE SCHEDULE FOR
THE SALE OF HAULED
RECLAIMED
WATER
Councilmember Witherspoon commented that a charge amounting to three
times the metered charge for reclaimed water was proposed, with the
explanation that the increased charge would offset the cost of service.
She anticipated that costs would be quite high, and the cost of the
reclaimed water at $1 per 1000 gallons seemed reasonable. She suggested
that the charges be billed in the most expeditious feshion, such as
running a monthly tab.
Assistant City Manager Walker said that no cash would be handled at the
site where the water is loaded. Billings would be on a monthly basis.
Contractors would load from 2000 to 5000 gallons per week, and no
special staffing would be required. The City wanted to be in touch
with water purchasers so they could he told about the limits on the
uses the water was suitable for.
Councilmember Witherspoon asked about the estimated billings, which
had been given as $600 to $1000 per month.
Mr. Walker said that those would be the costs of 600,000 to 1,000,000
gallons to be dispensed per month. The primary costs were in the
follow up on the sales to tell the restricted uses for the water and
then follow up to see those restrictions were being met. He did not
know what the cost to the City for the total process would be.
Councilmember Witherspoon asked how the charges were set by the Santa
Clara Valley Water District.
Mr. Walker replied that the cost to the City is about 75i or S0Q per
1000 gallons.
MOTION: Couucilmember Witherspoon moved, seconded by Eyerly, that the
matter of charges and rates for the sale of hauled reclaimed water be
referred to the Fiance and Public Works Committee.
Mr. Walker said that mtaff would return to Council in 2 weeks with
the information necessary to put the proposed resolution into effect.
Were the schedule in Committee, implementation would be delayed! and
it had been planned to go into operation by September 1.
Councilmember Witherspoon said that she had wanted more information
on the charges than the inclusion in the Consent Calendar had provided.
She would be agreeable to staff bringing more information to Council
in two weeks.
Mayor Sher asked if it would be all right to have the rate schedule
as proposed that evening go into effect on a tentative basis.
Mr Walker said that in two weeks staff would be asking for authorization
to move ahead on the reclaimed water project. Re said he thought the
cost to the City would be less than $1500 a month. The people who
had written the staff report had viewed it as a commonplace matter;
staff would provide the additional information Mrs. Witherspoon
requested on cost'of providing the service, the cost of the wader
itself, and staff time.
NOTION WITHDRAWN: Councilmember Witherspoon said she would withdraw
her motion to refer.
Council bar Eyerly said he might agree to withdrawal of the motion,
fitst he ascertained the date when the water would become available.
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8/8/77
Mr. Walker said that the Santa Clara Valley Water Reclamation Plant
and associated distribution facilities would be ready by Septem=ber 1,
1977.
Councilmemoer Eyerly said he would withdraw his second.
Ceunci1 a aber Clay confirmed ed with Hr. Walker that there would be
no delay is supplying water to the golf course and some parks after
September 1.
Mayor Sher asked if a motion to continue the matter for two weeks
would interfere. Hr. Walker said it would not ---staff had wanted
to have Council pass on the resolution tonight so that they could do
advance publicity.
MOTION- Mayor Sher moved, seconded by Witherspoon, that the matter
of the hauled reclaimed water rate schedule be continued to August 22.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
FirQU ST OF COUNCIL*' i4EaER YLETCHER
.�sw...au rrr�arr--. r r.�sa�q.®sood �.Y�fr
Rg A+3 402 INC•ALIj
��ICI.r14rr Y®oi.rlrr. ICY.
Councilmembei Fletcher said that the latest Legislative Bulletin from
the League of California Cities asked for comment on a number of
pending bills. They had supported AB 402, which was known as the
Transportation Reform Act. She said she had learned about some parts
or the legislation when she had attended the League of California
Cities conference in May and she was opposed to it. Recently LCC had
withdrawn Its support, with the complaint that localities did not have
enough input. Various amendments had been appended, and she supported
the one about increased fees for trucks of various weights, which,
bast week, had been completely deleted. The train point of the bill
was that the legislative branch should have a say in funding highways --a
dangeous position, for legislators like to show their constituents
in rure.1 areas the roads they had built for them, rather than trying
to make the best of the facilities already in operation. The bill
also favored federal funding --she herself found very little in the bill
she supported. The bill also supported doing away with the Transporta-
tion Board, which had put out the transportation plan which emphasized
social and environmental consequences of transportations systems, and
which she favored.
MOTION: Councilmemmber Fletcher moved, seconded by Henderson, that
Council authorize the mayor to write opposing AB 402 (Ingalls).
Councilmme ber Eyerly said he wanted to have more material presented
aso that he could see the pros and cons. He had not found that LCC
always had the best interests of each individual member city at heart.
He suggested that the scatter might be continued so that there would be
more tine to study the issue before voting ---otherwise he opposed it.
MOTION FAILS: The motion that Council authorize the mayor to write
a letter to the State Legislature opposing AB 402 failed on the
following vote:
AYES: Bremner, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher
NOES: Carey, Clay, Eyerly, Famzino, Witherspoon
RN EST OF VICE MAYOR BRENNER RE SB 346
Vice Mayor Brenner said ache had put the matter on the agenda in response
to a letter from Charles Kubokava.. She felt it was important for Palo
Alto to support S2 346, along with other San Frencieco day communities.
103
8/8/71
toward aintaining water quality standards on the Delta, for Palo Alto's
water quality depended on the flow of fresh water into the Delta.
Without that the South Bay could become a stagnant lagoon Water exports
from the Delta stopped the fresh water flushing of the Bay which
would create unacceptable water quality. First, a determination should
be made on how much water was needed to maintain water quality standards
in the Bay, and then it would be known how much water would be available
to push through the canal. She felt it was time to go oe record as
asking for regulations to insure a minicar,.m flow of fresh water into the
Bay. She did not propose that the peripheral canal be opposed.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Brenner moved, seconded by Fletcher, that Palo
Alto go on record as supporting the Peripheral Canal provided the
Federal Government agrees to water quality standards that will
protect the quality of water in the Delta and the Bay in its entirety,
and provided that the Federal Government pass legislation which will
guarantee that the Bureau of Reclamation will adhere to these standards
and that these standards must be set by the Water Quality Control
Board.
Vice Mayor Brenner said the main point was that assurance was needed
that the Bureau of Reclamation not only agrees to maintain water
quality in the Delta, as they had indicated their willingness to do,
but also that there be Federal standards that require those Water
Quality Control Board standards be adhered to.
Councilmember Henderson said her motion was a very positive statement
supporting the Peripheral Canal.
Vice Mayor Brenner said the qualifications determined whether or not
the Peripheral Canal would be supported. Both Department of Fish and
Came and the Sierra Club supported those provisions, She wanted to
make a broad statement showing that Palo Alto recognized that it was a
part of the Bay and what affected others affected Palo Alto.
Mayor Sher said that perhaps Vice Mayor Brenner was suggesting
that if the motion passed the Palo Alto City Council should give its
concerns, asking that the Federal government agree to standards that
protect the quality of the Delta and the Bay, and that the Federal
Government pass legislation that would require the Bureau to maintain
those standards, then saying that if those things happened, then Palo
Alto would support the Peripheral Canal. Support of the Canal would
serve as incentive to bring about goad water quality control.
Vice Mayor Brenner said she had not specifically suggested supporting
Senate Bill 346, for it had many provisions in it Council was not
prepared to discuss.
Councilnasaber Henderson said he wondered what other conditions the
Sierra Club had before they could support Senate Bill 346. He was
not sure he wanted to make the trade off of having support for the
Peripheral Canal follow automatically from the Federal Government
fulfilling the other qualifications.
Vice Mayor Brenner said that if Palo Alto delayed giving at least
moral support to, for example, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors,
the bill night pass without the qualifications. The requirement
that federal agencies not pull too much water out of the Bay was
the stain point.
Mayor Sher said that Contra Costa County was ageinst the Peripheral
Canal but was worried about the quality of water on the Delta. He
asked if Vice Mayor Brenaner's main point might not be to express
Palo Alto's concerns about the water quality in the Delta and not
to take s position on the Peripheral Canal,
104
8/8/77
Vice Mayor Brenner said that would be acceptable to her.
Mayor Sher said that the support of the Peripheral Canal could
be deleted from her motion, and leave the balance of the motion as is.
Councilmember Fletcher, second to Vice Mayor Brenner's motion, agreed.
Councilmember Eyerly said that incorporated in the motion could be the
last part of the staff's recommendation which said: that the staff
should be directed to work with the Bay Area Water Users' Association
and the South Bay Dischargers Authority to develop a further po3ition
on this bill.
Mayor Sher obtained agreement for the inclusion from Vice Mayor
Brenner and Councilmember Fletcher.
Counc1Ji ember Witherspoon said she had not explored the whole
controversy of the Canal. She asked who the letter would be written
to, and what effect it wax expected to have.
Vice Mayor Bremner said the letter would be written to the California
State Senate.
Mayor Sher explained that the Federal Government was going to participate
in the construction of the canal., but the project was being enacted
through a state senate bill.
Councilmember Witherspoon said she thought the letter had to be to
the Federal Goverment for it to be effective.
Mayor Sher said that the enabling legislation came from the state, and
the Federal Government was involved. As he understood the threat toward
Water Quality was not in construction of the canal, but lay in the
future, when decisions about how much fresh water was to be diverted
from the Delta and the Bay, and they wanted to have some commitment
from the Federal Government on those points. The state had some
control in saying "We're going to permit it to be built, but only
under these conditions." Those requirements had to be built luto
the state legislation.
Councilmember Fazzino asked to have copies of SB 346 given Council.
MOTION PASSED: The motion, authorizing that a letter be written to
the State expressing Palo Alto's concern that the Federal Government
must agree to water quality control standards that will protect the
quality of meter in the Delta and the Bay in its entirety, and that
the Federal Government should pass legislation which will guarantee
that the Bureau of Reclamation will adhere to these standards, such
standards to be get by the Watear Quality Control Board, end that
staff be directed to work with the Bay Area Water Users Association
and South Bay Discharger Authority to develop a further position on
SB 346, passed on the following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Carey, Eyerly, Fazzino, Fletcher,
Henderson, Sher
NOES: Wi ther spy
ABSTAIN: Clay
Councilmember Witherspoon left at 11:45 p.m.
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RE UEST OF COUNCILMEMBER HENDERSON
RE NEWSPAPER RECYCLING EFFORT
Councilmember Henderson said he had been surprised to learn how few
people were aware of the City's newspaper recycling effort. He
thought the City's efforts were worthwhile, and he would like to have
a report from staff.
MOTION: Councilmember Henderson moved, seconded by Fletcher, that
Council direct staff to report on the City's newspaper recycling
effort and to recommend means of publicizing the home newspaper
pick-up program.
Councilmember Fletcher asked for ideas from staff on better methods
of bundling newspapers --perhaps a recyclable bag instead of using
twine, which is expensive.
Councilmember Eyerly suggested that perhaps staff could answer the
questions that evening rather than having to write a report.
Assistant City Manager Charles Walker said he did not have information
on those questions. A minuscule amount of paper was being collected
through home pick-up. The program had been publicized in newspaper
ads and utility bill inserts, and also the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)
personnel had spread the word in door-to-door calls. For some reason
residents did not seem to be willing to save their newspapers and bind
them and put them on the garbage cans.
Councilmember Henderson eaid that otherwise well informed people
did not know about the program. He preferred a written report.
MOTION PASSED: The motion, that staff report on the City's newspaper
recycling effort and recommend means of publicizing the home
newspaper pick-up program passed on the following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Clay, Eyerly, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson,
Sher
NOES: Carey
ABSENT: Witherspoon
1#]r iTEST OF MAYOR SWER
RE FILL RR 4
Mayor Shet said he had put the energy bill HR 8444 on the agenda
because he had received a mailgram from the United States Conference
of Mayors seeking support for the bill, which had since been defeated.
He said he withdrew the item.
,REQUEST OF MAYOR SHER RE
PROCEDURE FOR CONFIRMING
Mayor Sher explained that the procedure had been considered last May
in response to a report from staff recommending that when Council
renewed the Palo Alto Child Care Center contract the requirement
that nominations for the Board be ratified by the Council. On a
divided vote, Council had voted that those nominations should continue
to be ratified by Council. No appointee had ever been denied
ratification, and since the PLCCC board had been praised for its vigor and
and excellence staff had re coemended that the requirement be deleted.
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Mayor Sher said he would move that there be an amendment to the
contract to delete the ratification provision, and simply require
that PACCC send Council notice of appointments, with resumes
attached, so that Council would know who was being appointed.
If the proposed motion failed he thought Council, would have to
assess the procedure by which they ratified nominations, and he would
move to have the ratification procedure agendized on the Consent "
Calendar.
MOTION: Mayor Sher roves, seconded by Fletcher, that the contract
with PACCC be amended to delete the Council ratification provision,
and require only that PACCC send notice to Council of their appoint-
ments to their board, together with resumes.
Councilmember Clay voiced annoyance that PACCC continue to request that -
Council not ratify appointments--PACCC's sole support was from the City,
in excess of $300,000, annually, and Council, by requiring ratification,
retained just a slight hold on expenditure of City money. He would -
oppose the. motion.
Mayor Sher said that not PACCC but he himself had put the matter in motion.
Councilmember Eyerly said he supported Councilmember Clay's stand --
he was willing to take time to ratify Board appointees since so
much of the taxpayer's money was involved. He felt it was wise
to retain the ratification process. He .inferred that Mayor Sher
had made his motion in order to speed up the ratification process.
Perhaps izicorporated in the motion could be that PACCC send a
request for ratification, and ratification would become effective
within two weeks if a Councilmember did not agendize the matter.
Vice Mayor Brenner said it was sometimes the nature of boards to
develop live of their own. She thought it was healthy for Council
to take a few minutes in considering the ratification. She preferred
to have ft automatically agendized and placed on the Consent Calendar.
In that way there was some public recognition.
Councilmember Fazzino agreed with other Councilmembers' points of
view on the matter --he thought ratification was an important process
and he thought the process perhaps helped to bring forth good
candidates.
Councilmember Henderson recalled that the establishment of the
ratification process had come about because the City was funding a
drug program and wanted to ratify the appointees to that board.
The ratification process wee not operant with the Housing Corporation,
which was involved with , lliona of dollars. Selecting out one
organization to require a ratifying process bothered him.
Vice Mayor Brenner said she thought that public recognition of
board appointees would be a good thing with the Housing Corporation too.
Mayor Sher said he din not think his motion would peas and he would
let it ride. It would not be a good idea to amend the procedure in
the middle of the year. If his motion failed he preferred that
ratificati4:.4 be agendized automatically on the Consent Calendar.
NOTION FAILED: The motion that the contract with PACCC be amended
failed on the ioi.laving vote: -
ATES: Fletcher, Henderson, Sher
TOES: Brenner, Carey, Clay, Eyerly, Fazzino
MINT: Witherspoon
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MOTION: Mayor Sher moved, seconded by Henderson, that Council
adopt the procedure of automatically agenuizing PACCC nominations for
the Board on the Consent Calendar, as they are received.
Councilman Eyerly reviewed the motion, confirming that if the
person to be ratified vas not acceptable the matter would be removed
from the Consent Calendar for public discussion.
Mayor Sher said there would be no executive session at all on the
nominations.
MOTION PASSED: The motion passed on a unanimous vote, Councilmember
Witherspoon absent.
MAYOR SRER RE COUNCIIKEKBER EYERLY
SENIOR COORDINATING COUNCIL LIAISON
?Mayor Sher said the Senior Coordinating Council had asked that someone
from the Council be named as liaison, and he had written them a
letter saying that Fred Eyerly had agreed to serve in that capacity.
CANCELLATION OF AUGUST 15 COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Sher said that staff had said Council did not have a full
agenda to meet on the following Monday, and he would entertain a
motion to cancel the meeting.
MOTION: Councilmember Clay moved, seconded by Pazzino, that the
regularly scheduled Council meeting of August 15 be cancelled. The
notion passed on a unanimous vote, Councilmen bet Witherspoon absent.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
lone
.is�sna�w...r
MOTION: Councilmenber Carey awed, seconded by Faszino, that Council
adjourn. The motion psesod on a unanimous vote, Councilmember
Witherspoon *been:.
Council sd journed at 12:05 a os.
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