HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-10-25 City Council Summary MinutesCITY
council.
MINUT€S
Regular Meeting
October 25, 1977
CITY
OF
PALO
ALTO
ITEM PAGE
Minutes of September 6, 1977 2 7 0
Minutes of September 19, 1977 2 7 1
Minutes of October 3, 1977 2 7 2
Minutes of Adjourned Meeting of October 3, 1977 (Oct.- 4, 1977) 2 7 3
Consent Calendar
Housing Corporation's Report on Below-iarket-Re:e Units 2 7
Underground Conversion --700 Block Ramona 2 7 7
Revision of the Urban Service Area Boundary in Baylands 2 7 7
Au..:rd of Contract: CAPA/'Pheatrevork-a Winter and Summer
Festivals 1977»78 2 7 8
Award of 1977-78 Contract: Recreation Basketball Officials
Bureau 2 7 8
Amendment to Housing Corporations Contract 2 7 8
Records Retention 2 7 9
Request of C-�--'..ii • -
:.......:.u ers Fasaiao and Ey+er1S re Publicising
Neighborhood Crime 2 8 0
Request of Councileember Clay that Council Adopt a Resolution
Requesting that the North Cocnty Comity Legal Services
Office Not Be terminated, and that Service Be Continued at
its Current Level
Cou ncilse tuber Eyerly re Length of Council Meetings
October 31 Meeting (5th Monday)
Ora? Communications
Adjournment to Executive Sesser re Pemaemel
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10/23/77
2 .8 1
283
284
2 8 4
Regular Meeting
October 25, 1977
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:35 p.m.
in a regular meeting w?.th Mayor Sher presiding.
PRESENT: trenner, Carey, Clay, Eyerly, Fazzino, Fletcher,
Henderson, Sher, Witherspoon
ABSENT: None
MINIMS OF SEPTEMBER 6s 1977
Councilmember Fazzino asked that on page 158, there be inserted at the
middle of the page, a paragraph to, lover about 20 minutes of tape that
had not been recorded,'-'Councilsmabtr Fazzino asked a number of questions
regarding the design of the El Canino/Willow intersection, a4Z expressed
concerns over the potential as a physical traffic hazard and as a relatively_
easy barrier to successfully negotiate a turn onto Palo Alto Avenue. Be
-hoped this design would not bring pre sire upon Councilaembera to open
up traffic to Palo Alto Avenue within a few years."
He asked that on page 165, in the first paragraph, the fourth line from
the bottom of the first paragrap% read instead, "His concern was the El
Camin^/Sand Bill intersection design."
Vice Mayor Brenner aaked that on page 166, the Brenner/Eyerly amendment
be corrected to read: "...that as a condition of approval of the project,
that Stanford University agree in writing it will not cloae any portion
of Arboretum Drive within its jurisdiction (Between Quarry and Sand Hill
and a little piece beyond Quarry as well.)
In the following paragraph she asked that her explanation read, "...that
a part of Arboretum Drive that passed through the Shopping Center was
dedicated public road, along with the widened portion of the block from
Quarry to Palm Drive, and from there on it is private. road. That portion
of road parallels Alma and carried the same kind of traffic. Her motion
was to preclude the possibility that, after all the improvements were
in, that the private portion would be closed, for it 'mould throw extra
traffic onto tVillow and oat toward Alma. If such closing were not
anticipated, Stanford would agree to it easily. She vented to preserve
access to Stanford Medical Center sad office traffic."
Vice Mayor Brenner asked that on pegs 168, first paragraph, the second
sentence read, "Would a double-berreled Willow Road be an interface for
a !levet drawing through traffic to BaDilton and University Armes, as
the -route to the new Dumbnrtov Bridget"
Couneilmember Henderson asked;that on page 157, the first sentence of
the last paragraph read, "Couacilm tuber Henderson noted that new tress
were to be added to the median strips."
Councilmember Henderson asked that.on tbo bottc a page.157 a sentence
be added, saying "Mr. Pawloski replied that a total of- or 300 trees
would be planted along titre :project . "
Councilarmber Henderson asked thak the sentence io:the middle of the
whole -page paragraph, an Page 161, t enty-third line, be corrected to
read "He said he had talked at length with Bil.1 Massey at Stanford, *0
had taken over the vice-presidential post formerly held by Bob Auggsburaer,
and Councilm"eber Henderson said he wanted to repeat some statements
'mach by Bill Massey."
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Councilmember Henderson asked that on page 161, the last two sentences
in the first paragraph read, "He had made his last statements in good
faith based upon informal conversations. There had been no "waffling"
then."
Councilmember
twelft
Henderson asked that on page 164, the sentence in the
h line of comments by Councilmember Carey read, "He supported the
amendment that asked staff to seek a "date certain."
Councilmember Carey agreed to the correction.
Councilmember Wetherepoon asked that or page 158, a seetement attributed
to her by the third paragraph be either credited to gemstone else or
deleted, for she did not recall voicing concern about a 90 -foot setback
relative to multiple housing along Sand Hill Road.
Council agreed to deletion of t e statement.
POTION: Councilmember Carey moved, seconded by Fazzino, that the a mutes
of September S, 1577, be approved as carrceted. The motion passed on a
unanimous vote.
MIMES OF SEPTEMBER 19, 1977
Couxcilmember Fazzino observed that all his counts had been made
during that portion of time not recorded on the tape. He asked that
the following comments which he recalled having made, be inserted before
his motion on Page 190. Councilmemberc agreed to their inclusion without
hearing them read:
Councilmember Fazzino stated that citizens quite obviously desire
to maintain the residential nature of Palo Alto streets by keeping
them safe for their children and effectively discouraging speeding.
At the same time he stated the police department is telling the
Council that we must raise the speed limit if we are to use radre-.,
which appears to be the most effective way of controlling speeds.
It also appears likely that the limits will have to be raised every
five years or so, as the average speed increases. Be was particularly
concerned about tie effect of this increase on roads such as
Eabarcedero, where the average speed has risen approzimatley ten
miles per hour since 1973 and where school Children daub walk to
and fromschool. He dial not believe, however, that radar wee the
only effective way to reduce speeds. The mere pro of a police
officer on a street will deter most drivers from spsedine. Also,
very few drivers fights ticket in count, which mama the act of
handing out a traffic ticket remains quite effective. Councilmember
Fazzino stated that drivare tend to travel at five to'tea miles per
hour over the posted speed limit. ,The present -limit of twenty-five
miles per hour has resulted in en average speed of thirty-five is
most cases. A new limit of thirty gtvs would immediately fore the
psychological speed ten wiles beyond that. Ale could not is - good
conscience support the motion to raise the speed limit.
Councilmember Fazzino said he would like to move to rapport promezvetion
of the present limits, est a goal of reducing *pods an streets-
outlined in tha staff report by five to ten miles per bout over a
one year period, sad have tbs - police department report hack to .
Council on bow it intends to implement this actions, gmphasising use
Of present resources. -
BecreditedCouncilmember Witherspoon with developing the idea of eetttne
the goal for reduction of speed.
2 7 1
10/23177
Vice Mayor Brenner asked that oai page 176 in the fourth paragraph the
first sentence read "Vice Mayor Brenner explained that the ARB had
requested that applications for solar heat installations in single-
family homes be brought under the purview of the ARB." She asked that
the sentence following that be deleted. She asked that the next sentence
read, 'She said single-family homes had been omitted from the. ordinance
requiring ARB review at the time the ordinance was written. This was
done following careful consideration, and granting the least governmental
control possible in respect to single homes. . . ."
Councilmember Hendercon asked that the seventh paragraph on page 179
read instead, "Councilsher Henderson rc 8sied a Situation when he was
a Councilmember in 1971 in which,-- owing to an absence, he had moved for
continuance even -though is position probably woul.d have prevailed.
Later, when the item c e up again, a Councilmember favoring his position
was absent, the Council refused a continuance, and a decision contrary
to his position prevailed. He felt attendance at Council meetings was
not predictable. He hypothes' ed how the matter could go in.thc case of
a tie vote, s-ying that if a tie vote occurred the motion to continue
could be made again, and he probably would support it."
Councilmember Henderson asked that on page 183 the sentence in the
twelfth line from the bottom read "Another reason for granting a variance
was preservation of the property rights of the applicant and prevention
of an unreasonable property less."
Councilmember Henderson asked that on page 187 the seventh paragraph
read "Co'wcilmember Henderson said that to defeat the proposed park
tonight would be a terrible disservice to the neighborhood. The park
had been approved by two previous councils and the chambers would have
been filled if residents hart suspected any possibility of loss of the
park. He thought it would Lie well to continue to work toward the exchange,
for the proposed site was located in the center of a large condominium/
apartment complex, and would be a nice addition to the area. He felt
the site on Page Mill was not nearly so favorable."
Councilmember Fletcher apked that the second sentence on page 182, sixth
paragraph, read, "She thought it would be less bud :y if it were not the
same height as the existing building."
MOTION: Ci,uacilmember Fazzino moved, seconded by Witherspoon, that the
minutes of September 19, 1977, be approved as corrected. The notion
passed. on a unanimous vote.
OF OCTOBER3. 1977
Councilmember Fazzino asked that the last paragraph on page 201 read
"Council—*br Faszino observed that unfortunately the answers Council --
members wanted were not being given, since there had been real support
expressed at the Committee level for the child care program. He felt
Council sight wint to move beyond the Community Development issue and
look at the specific proposal !n the light of other options. Re approved
of the child care project and -hoped that funds could be found during the
present fiscal year to fond it."
Councilmember Fazzino asked that on page 207, second paragraph, the
second line read, "...before c:ae be might well., even with additional .
information, decide in favor of the present site and design because of
issues such as cost."
Councilmember Fazsino asked that on page 214, seventh paragraph, beginning
with the fifth line the words read "...Bureau of Reclamation. He recognised
that this increas+!, when passel on, world not be apportioned according
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10/25/77
to the present structure, and that there would be some flattening out of
the rate structure."
Councilmeaber Carey suggested that at future meetings
had written out their speeches in advance give copies
thus saving time correcting minutes. He thought some
non-su:os taotive .
those members who
-to the City Clerk,
corrections were
Councilaember Carey asked about information concerning the twelfth
paragraph on page 204. He asked if staff had said Palo Alto's cost was
about one-third, or 30 percent, and he asked for confirmeti _
Napktali Knox, Director of Planning and Community Environment, replied
that on October 3 he had restl figures from the staff report --Ray del,
of Water -Gas -Sewer had the f igureir for each of the partner towns.
Counc{l+ember Carey asked that the minutes_show some__question on the
exactitude of costs mentioped in the twelfth paragraph.
Councilmember Clay asked that en page 204, the seventh paragraph read
"Councilmember Clay asked if the $250,000 cost were entirely for setting
piping if the towers were built on the southc,rly side."
Vice Mayor Brenner asked that, on page 206, :+1nth paragraph, the second
sentence read "She referred to page 20 of the EIR which she thought
depicted Embarcadero Road in conflict with the position shown on the
screen, rnd that it should be checked more carefully. . . ."
Vice Mayor Brenner asked that on page 215, the third line read "...than
the flood control district. USGS should also be involved. . . ."
MOTION: Councilmember Fazziao moved, seconded by Carey, that the minutes
of October 3, 1977, be approved as corrected. The motion passed on a
unanimous vote.
MINUTES OF ADJOURNED MEETING OF OCTOBER 3, 1977r (October 4, 1977)
Councilm—her Passino asked that on page 234, the second sentence in the
first paragraph read,_"He thought that the need for the type of questioning
that had occurred that evening should to be a deterrent."
MOTICW: Council_ber Witherspoon moved, seconded by Fassino, that the
minutes of October 4, 1977, (adjourned meeting of Octobee 3) be approved
as corrected. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Mayor fiber suggested that if in the future Counciheabere h : ' lengthy
corrections they have them typed in advance of the eeetieg by the City
Clerk's office, then they could be inserted tint. the minutes without
having to take Council meeting time.
ORAL C iICATxcJS
1. Dr. Macy Jewell Cross, 1902 Palo Alto Way, Menlo Park, spoke for
the, Committee for Safe and Sensible San Frencisquito Area Routing.
Sbe said that the setter under question was whichalignment for
Stanford/Willow Expressway. She said an an election was "going on
right nose" in Palo Alto concerning that choice, though neither the
Council nor the Board of Supervisors had set it on the ballot,
"...but the people decided they wonted to sake a choice." She said
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that she and others who lived "in the county", in San Mateo County
unincorporated area, were conceited over having their interests
protected, for the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors had not
reviewed the EIR, and the concerned citizens had asked fox an
Environmental Impact Report, supplementary to that of Palo Alto, on
the basis of an in-depth study of the impact on San Mtteo County.
The organization she spoke for had 400 members, and an additional
173 people had "signed"'the petition. Forty residents from Oak
Avenue had gone to the Menlo Park City Council asking that Oak be
closed off. The Menlo Park Council had not taken final action,
but they did reject the idea. that Oak would be a fully signalized_
intereectloa as contemplated ia the project. "The people onTOak,"
she said, "are suffering blight --some deterioration of their health
from the,traffic along there and there is no reasonable prospect
that they will get left with a fully signalized intersection off of
an expressweee."'A city/county survey was taking place at present to
continue tor about.a month, with results to be analyzed _by a traffic
consultant Who would slake recommendations "on what is to be done
and what streets are to be closed." The county engineer had said
he planned to close Palo Alto Way if Oak is closed. The frontage
road would close two roads, which had not been anticipated in the
EIR. The committee wanted to see a meeting take place with Palo
Alto, the counties of San Mateo and Santa Clara, and CalTrans, to
consider possibilities of aleernative alignments which would connect
the Stanford/Willow Expressway with Alpine Road, rather than with
Sand Hill Road, and with an overpass to Juniper° Serra Boulevard,
That would obviate the congested inter: action for which, in the
present proposed routing, there was no solution. She predicted the
present proposed route would become a large parking lot as people
stalled in the intersections. Ax' overpass would solve that problem.
Though Council might be sick of considering the problem, she urged
that, since the project was not to begin until February, they study
It still further and "get the best decision." She said the project
was deficient in its process and legally subject to challenge,
which would take much longer. She said her group had written to
Stanford Trustees, and the group thought that if Palo Alto took the
initiative, Stanford would be amenable to re -thinking this matter.
She said each Councilaember bad a letter from their organi'ation,
along with a ballot, and she asked that each Council ber make a
public stand by useug the ballet, and return their ballots to the
Committee. She asked that they make their choice an what was the
best for Palo Alto, and not on what was expedient.
Mayor Sher asked that she submit the papers to the City Clerk, who
would circulate them.
The letter from the Committee for Safe and Sensible San Fraacislsito
Creek Area read as follow:
Res -, esnford Willow E s;eaaway Project Agenda Item #2
S. D. Board of Trustees Fleeting on October 11, 1977.
Dear Board of Trustees and each Trustee:
This letter bring to you latest information on impacts perceived in
University Park and Menlo Park op, the above project. It also
proposes that you seriously consider an alternative alignment of
Willow to Alpine Road.
Agenda Item #2 includes a proposal to state your intent to begin
construction of Campus Drive Extension within two years of starting
widening of Willow Road. You may recall that the Junipero Serra
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10/25/77
Boulevard Study prepared for Santa Cleve County Transportation
Agency by Ruth and Going --Norton S Curtis Inc. showed that south-
east origined and deutined traffic was much heavier on Junipero
Serra Boulevard than was northwest, a fact you may have observed
yourself. Perhaps you are wondering whether opening a foad as
close as Campus Drive Extension would be to the centr_1 university
campus with -predictably expressway traffic volumes, is in the best
interests of the University. If so, you will like to explore an
alternative.
Bordering the other, Sand Hill Road, branch of the prospective
expressway, without so much as sidewalks, curbs, and gutters now,
is a densely populated residential area of Uaiver5tty Park, in
unincorporated San Mateo County, and Menlo Park. They, no less
than Stanford's central campus and the Searsville Block, are threatened
in quality of life by the alignment of the proposed expressway,
includin Csepna Drive Extension. At the request of Menlo Park
city councilors, San Mateo County's engineer agreed to recommend
expenditure of *pillion in county funds by the county's board of
supervisors for part of a four -lanes bridge, alterations to Sand
Sill Road, and a frontage road. He initiated an environmental
assessment on only the frontage road, which made the preliminary
finding of insignificant environmental impact.
Residents are not satisfied. Forty descended on the Menlo Park
City Council on September 6, 1977, to demand no less than complete
closure of Oak Avenue to the expressway. On September 26, 1977,
the county's senior environmental planner who had signed the "negative
declaration" on the frontage road received a timely petition in
contest. The petition was subscribed by the two organizations
sourcing this letter, the Committee being authorized to speak for
no less than 350 residents of San Mateo County, and bore the signatures
of 173 persons to the petition itself. The full text of the Petition for
Environmental Impact Report is quoted in the accompanying Exhibit B,
Questions and Answers. Exhibits accompanying and by reference to
materials in the University files, are identified on the second
page of this lette:•.. They illustrate the situation and bow we
would resolve ditticultiea in the route of the project. We do not
argue a gOA1 to • ncrea.se the rate of traffic flow on Willow Road at
peak volume or widening the z:ied. We do argue the achievability of
that goal with the alignment beretofory chosen by Stanford University.
IfBi.S� D ANSWERS ON TEE ALIGNMENT PROPOSED FOR STQUT
1. Expense and Development Plans: What aru the Implications?
Stanford University Lavd Use Policy/Plan, dated 1971, contemplates
alternative location of the golf course. Useful as this $200,000 -
or -so -net -income -untaxed enterprise is to the University, the sum
is insufficient to the potential for the 200 ages involved so
close to the Stanford Shopping '. Medic Centers and professional
and industrial park developments existing and planned on Willow Road
and Sand Hill Road.
Use of the 200 acres for grei_belt at the University's expense,
enhancing the relations of the University with communities in San
Mateo County, as the University credits the Arboretum in relations
with Palo Alto, may, perhaps, be not tantemplatable. But how about
alienation of the golf course for public park with the University
appropriately compensated? Nussrpns benefits to the University esr..
be imagined --direct and indirect. The University would be more
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attractive to present and prospective faculty, staff, atudeata,
employees, and lessees, including Oak Creek Apartments. Applici.tious
for county funding of a two -county streameide park on Stanford
University land presently in golf course are actively pending
before parks and recreation agencies of the two counties. The City
of Menlo Park, by action of its City Council on.February 8, 1977,
supports the application to San Mcteo County.
Proposed funding of the Stanford Willow Expressway in currently
planned alignment in:ludes approximately $500,000 from San Mateo
County and $171,000 from the City of Menlo Par:z, for part of a
bridge, ___alteration of Sp*4 Hill- Road, and the frontage road. The
same funds could be used for a bridge over San Francisquito Creek
at higher altitude near Alpine Road, and for widening Alpine Road.
Santa Clara County might bq financially able and interested to pay
for part of an overpass e4nderpass of Stanford Willow Expressway ..nd
the county's 3unipeto Serra Boulevard. Realignment of the Expressway
to Alpine.. Road uoul.t
. �,,..�.., it is suggested, release the project fry
obligation regarding Campus Dr ve Ezt aaion so far as the City of
Menlo Park fe concernec. This would not only avoid the impact on
the central campus and Searsbille Block residents, but give the
University a half mi:lion dol.la s otherwise committed.
2. Comity Relationu; What Does the Petition presented to
San Mateo County on September 26, 1977, Say?
"We, the undersigned, consider that the Sand Hill -Willow Road
Project will have adverse impacts on the environment. We also
consider that the proposed frontage Road portion of that project
will have adverse impacts. We think that there will be significant
adverse impacts on traffic circulation, energy use, air quality,
sound, and visual beauty. The environmental effects of the project
will have substantial adverse effects on us.
"We believe that we are entitled to an Environmental Impact Report
on the project as a whole, exploring in depth impacts on San Mateo
County residents- The orgina]. Environmental Impact Report did not
include the Frontage Road portion of the project. Alternatives to
the Frontage Rod have not been explored, such as aligning Willow
Road with Alpine Road and leaving Sand Hill Road as is, with reduced
traffic.
"We, the undersigned, respectfully demand an Environmental Impact Report
on the whole project, including the Frontage Road."
We ask you to open the options on Stanford Willow -Expressway with
particular attention to exploring alternative alignments in the
traffic . flow frca Pesteur Drive to - Interstate 280. One option to
be considered is having Stanford Willow Expressway overpass Junipero
Serra Boulevard and connect directly with Alpine,Fcoad. Alpine Road
would be widened to four lanes.
We seek a decision flowing from a supplemental environmental impact
xscport prepared by San Mateo County. Possibly Santa Clara CouatT
would collaborate in it. Alternative alignments world be compared
for, among other things, their impact on the quality of life and
efficiency in their use of energy, on a long tern and regional
basis. We expect that this course will load to selection of an
alignment which all government and agencies, our organisations,
residents in the vicinity of the project will agree to be preferable
to the route presently conceived by Stanford University.
The course indicated sight seem to lengthen an already lengthy
process, bait construction could be delayed by court proceedings
which could take many time as long, -- _ aThe course here proposed
could mare the defects in existing 1:ans end process and avoid a
court test Aick would not offer the same opportunities toreeditas
goods final decision. ' - 2 7 6
10/23/77
(signed) Nancy Jewell Cross
Ann L. Robertson
George A. Drennan
David C. Stiles
Maria E. Stiles
Anne A. DeCarl+
Committee for Safe and Sensible San Francisquito Creek Area Routieg and
University Park Aasociation
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayer Sher read the items on the Consent Calendar.
Council ember Carey asked that item 6, regarding an amendment to the
Palo Alto Housing Corporation contract, be removed, for the nurpeee of
continuance.
Councils ember Henderaon noted that on page 2, on the its con_eez n ing
youche dul e b_eketb a:l,—cue—aa unt of payment as written in words and in
figures on line 2 under "payment" was inconsistent and needed correction.
The fallowing items remained on the Consent Calendar:
Ref errel Items
HOUSING CORPORATION'S REPORT ON
BELOW - :7)
Staff recommends that
report be referred to
recommendation to the
Action Items
the report of Palo Alto Housing Corporation's
the Policy and Procedures Committee for review and
City C' ncil.
UNDERGROUND CONVERSION ---700 BLOCK RAMONAA (c2fR:489:7)
Staff informs Council that two pard11e1 procedures are involved: ,ae
establishes the area as an underground utility district and results in
au ordinance requiriaag removal of the existing overhead distribution and
service facility within the boundaries of the district. The second
procedure is the assessment procedure by which the affected property
owners participate financially in the project. Each procedure requires
a public wring, but a single hearing can suffice for both purposes.
Staff recommends that Council initiate the 700 Block Ramona underground
conversion project procedures by passing the two accompanying resolucioas
of intent.
RESOLUTION 5472 entitled "A RESOLDTION OF
PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION AND OF INTENTION
TO ACQUIRE AND CONSTRUCT IMPROVEMENTS
UNDO. ,UTILITY CONFUSION
UNDO UTILITY DISTRICT H0. 19."
RESOLUTION 5473 entitled "A RESOLUTION OF
INTENTION TO AMEND SECTION 12.16.020 OF
CBAPTE!I 12.1d OF TITLE 12 OF THE PALO ALTO
MUNICIPAL CODE BY ESTABLISHING GROUND
UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 19."
�; , og THE .AN S CE
A� BOUNDARY IN t:491:7)
The Local Agency Formation Commission will conduct its annual review of
city urban service areas in December, 1977, and January. 1978. Cities
that propose to alter their urban servit areas must request r visiaa by
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10/25/77
��.
October 26 to allow for hearing on December 7. Staff recommends that
Palo Alto adopt the attached resolution revising its urban service area
to include approximately 154 acres in the Baylands--the ITT property and
an adjacent parcel of about 1.5 acres.
RESOLUTION 5474 entitled "RESOLUTION O1
THE COUNCIL.)F THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
MAKING APPLICATION TO LAFCO REGARDTNG
AN ANE !DMENT TO THE URBAN SERVICE AREA
OF THE CITY TO INCLUDE PROPERTY COMMONLY
KNOWN AS THE ITT PROPERTY Atm PROPERTY
ADJACENT THERETO."
AWARD OF CGNTRACT : CAPl. TREATREWORRS
WINTER AND SU! IVALS197 'b CMR: 46:7)
Many of the ideasof the 5___Year ___Goals ___have_bee'n at enngefO aehimeed
through the TheatreWorks program. The City's current funding level
serves as an important base for this creative company whose growth in
terms of revenue, number of performances and-f.ize of audience have been
paralleled by growing quality of production. TheatreWorks' goal is the
development of a community -based regional theatre, with an increasing
number of professional artists working beside local avocational artists
and volunteers in the creation of a professional, year-round Peninsula
Theatre Festival. Staff recommends that the Council authorize the Mayor
to execute the agreement with CAPA for TheatreWorks Winter Festival
1977-78 and Simmer Festival.
CAPA/THEATREWORKS--THEATRE PROGRAM CAPA
AWARD OF 1977-78 CONT RACT : RECREATION EASKETBALL
OPFI ;ALS E cMR: :
The Contract for $7,600 represents the continuation of services of the
Recreation Basketball Officials Bureau to provide officials for recreation
sponsored basketball leagues. Staff recommends that the City Council
authorize the Mayor to execute the contract with the Metropolitan Officials
Asoociatiae for the•1977-1978 basketball .season.
CONTRACT OFFICIATING AT YOUTH -ADULT
BASKETBALL rROGRAM FOR 1977-78
Recreation Basketball Officials Bureau
MOTION: Council a ber Fazzino moved, seconded by Henderson, that Council
authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement and contract, and that Council
approve the resolutions, and make the referral to the Policy and Procedures
Committee. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
mentuarr TO HOUSING
C NPOIATTON• CT (CNN:488:7)
)40TIOd: Coin ilmember Carey moved, seconded by Clay, that the matter of
considering the Housing Corporation's report on below -market -rate units
be continued to November 21, 1977.
Councilaeamber Carey said he had received a call from Hal Hudson, President
of the Housing Corporation,- to, say tbtt the Housing Corporation and the
City Attorney's office vete still debating the proposal; they vented
sore time to complete the debate before Council took up the recommendation.
One consideration vas a referraal to committee, and N ember 21 vas the
closest available time for it'to return to Council. Hs preferred that
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10/25/77
the two parties reach some agreement before GJunc
it debated the issue.
Mayor Sher informed Councilmembers that Counci1member Carey was liaison
between Council ant the Housing Corporation.
Councilmember Fyerly Baia he supported t'e motion to continue in the
light of Councilmember Carey's information. However, he added, he
feared that if in -lieu rayments were to be favored over volunteer effort
other contractors within the City would want to follow suit in fulfilling
their provision of 10 percent below -market housing. He said he would
rather have a full discussion or the matter in Committee value a decision
was reached, and when the matter returned to Council on November 21, he
would move to refer. He felt committee discussion was also needed about
the request that the City provide insurance.
Comacilmember Witherspoon agreed that the matter should be
Ccueittee when it eetumned Noher 41.
Vice Mayor Brenner agreed with the idea of referring the ma
Committee, adding that the amount of money needed for possib
coverage should be budgeted in advance; she asked if it were
should b.: done within the Planning Department itself, with the
allocation going there as well.
referred to
Councilmember Henderson said the report spelled out no controls
merely said that "This will be subject to the approval of the pr
manager on a project -by -project basis." He asked if each indivi
need for payment would come before Council.
ter to
le insurance
a job which
budget
and
oject
ual
Mayor Sher said that there were many questions on the report, and
the involved parties wale ceady Council agreed it would be best to
discussion. He called for the vote.
until
delay
MOTION PASSED: The motion to continue discussion of the Housing Corp
thou report to November 21, 1977, passed on a unanimous vote.
RECORDS RETENTION (CMR:493:7)
George Sipel, City Mapeg'r, said he would be glad to amplify on his
report of October 20, 1977, which was in the Councilmembers' packets,
and to answer questions.
ora-
Mayor Sher observed that Mr. Sipel had said the Historical Society could
review the records which were being kept in the basement of the City
Hall, or Council could work out a list of the kinds of materials they
wished to have retained.
Mr. Sipel said he did not want to have the staff involved any more then
they were at present.
Mayor Sher noted that the staff report vas the result of $ requesst by
Councilmember Fazzino.
Councilmember Fassino said he agreel staff should not be involved any
more than necessary; be thought Mr. Sipel's suggestion of having the
Historical Society review the records had the most merit. Be thought
)historical Society umbers could be asked if they wished to do so every
f iVe years or act
MOTION: Councillember Passim movca;-atcouded by Fletcher, that a
letter be addressed to tbs Palo Alto Historical Society asking them if
they would be interested in reviewing City films on a periodic basis to
determine what items had historical value and should be `=atainw_d _by the
City.
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1
Councilmember Henrlerson asked what control the City would have over
which items were selected to be saved.
Council.member Fazzino clarified that he had meant the Historical Society
would riot look at items the Cit7 inteuded to save --they would look at
only those items which otherwise :night be thrown away.
Mayor Sher said Council perhaps would rely on Mr. Sipel drafting a
letter suggesting some procedure, .and then finding out if the Historicai.
Society was interested.
Mt. Sipel said he foresaw the matter as offering to the Histor{.cal
Society those papers elich the City would otherwise throw away, and if
they had some historical value the Society could keep them. He did not
think it would create problems --there was a Ss:est deal of_mater alt -go
through is l2& iavzes of City Manager's files, but ±f they canted to try
he would make them we1ccse to do so.
Vice Mayor Brenner asked if there were any irreplaceable records stored
any place other than City Hall.
Mr. Sipe]. said there were duplicates of some records stored at the
Service Center. Some financial records were on microfilm. It was
material which had to be permanently retained. The kinds of records
Council was discussing would not fall under that category.
MOTION PASSED: The motion that a letter be addressed to t3 i'alo Alto
Historical Society asking if they would be interested in reviewing City
files on a periodic basis to determine what items had historical value
to be retained by the t'ity, passed on a unanimoua vote.
JEST OF C CII E1iS PAZZINO AND
�XIBC NEIGHBAE& L
Councilmearaber. Fazsino recalled that Councilmaabers had received a letter
from Ms. Betsy Gi€foed about two weeks ago outlining the possibility of
public!=3-g neighborhood crime in the local newspaper and the utility
sailer. That would alert citizens to the need to watch carefully for
suspicious situations in certain parts of town. Both he and Cotwcilmemhsr
Eyerly had thought it an idea earitisi,g consideration. He thought;it
doubtful if Cot..acil mould have much influence over articles printed in
the Palo Alto Tines, but the police department eight begin to put out
press releases wbenever uriaee ppeared to be confined to a certain area.
Other evermes of informative -sharing could also be explored.
MOTION: Counc3 imember Fazzino coed, seconded by Eyerly, that staff
report back to the City Council within two months regarding the implement-
ation and suggestions on such an information --sharing program regarding
neighborhood crime.
Councilamber Carey questioned vbether or net Council wanted to sake a
deliberate effort to get publicity in the fern a gaper articles, oc
if neemeapers should be left "to take_ their course," and a policy wbereby
the police department notifies the neighborhood on a private basis of _
possible high incidence of trims,, be encouraged. Publicising an area' --
"where criminals are reaping great benefits" sight encourage more such
activity. He foresaw staff having to do /mother study.
)fr. Sipel said that what Covncilmember Carey suggested, that is notifying
the affected neighborhood; w edeet vas done at present; the area was
leafletted. Op to the present time they bad not used the Tines or the
utility meller--taw Police department used a first -level communication
to the aeaighborhoods.
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Couucilmember Witherspoon Raid that she did not think 1urglaries and the
like should be publicized in the Times, and also, that cs a vehicle for
a warning, many did not read the Times and so could not know about
burglaries. Perhaps the plan outlined by Mr. Sipel could be "betfed
up." She recalled that a grant had been obtaired by the City for a
computer model which was to have solved burglary problems on a prediction
basis. Shs did not want a staff report if it were to take a lot of time
and money.
Councilmember Eyerly referred to the letter Police Chief Zurcher had
Written to Ms. Gifford, saying that a discusaion was scheduled with the
Palo Alto Times about developing a news column on local crime problems,
as a public service to the community. He asked that Councilmembers
e'-pport the motion asking for a staff report so that Council would have
all the Information on what was being clone, for in that way they could
make a good decision on what to do to prevent crime.
Councilmember Clay laid be had heard Mr. Sipel say he already had a
-report 311 hat wee being done locally in the way of crime prevention. He
suggested Council obtai=n the report, then if further action was to be
taken it could be put on the agenda again. He said he would oppose the
motion.
Mayor Sher said that at present he was willing to read the report but
not to commit to Council action. He assumed the possible avenues of
information would be explored in the report, after which a judgment
could be made.
Councilmember Hecid erson said when his neighborhood was experiencing
several burglaries he had received the direct communication from the
Police Department that Mr. Sipel had spoken of, and that he found it
very helpful.
MOTION PASSED: The motion that staff report sack to the City Council
within two months regarding the implementation of and suggestions on an
information -sharing program regarding neighborhood crime passed on the
following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Eyerly, Faz:ino, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher
NOES: Carey, Clay, Witherspoon
T OF MUNCIiiEffiU CLAY THAT COUNCIL
MAL muds
YIt
%E CONTINUED AT ITS CUIOMT LEVEL
Councilmember Cl y said the North County Community Legal Services office
at 405 Sherman Avenue, providing legal assistance to the economically
deprived lance 1972, vas in danger of being removed from its present
location to San Jose. It vas to be done on the assumption that there
were not enough "poor people" in this area requiring such service.
Stati*,tics were to the contrary. Attorney Mike Flicker who had bean
associated with the office since its inception would comment further.
NOTI($: Coaacilaember Clay introduced the following resolution amd
seconded by Carey, moved its adoption by Council:
RESOLUTION 5475 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO REQUESTING
TEAT THE MONTH COUNT!' C'OMMUNIT'Y LEGAL SERVICES
of PxcE NOT as TERMINATED AND as CONTINUED AT 111
CURRENT LEVEL.
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18/23/77
Councilmember Witherspoon asked if the program was funded by the county
or the federal government.
Michael Flicker, 235 Walter Hays Drive, spoke as chairman of the legal
Ada Committee of the Palo Alto Ear Association, both of which had been
involved with the Legal. Aid program since its inception, sometime before
1972. Funds to carry on the program came from the Legal Aid Corporation,
formerly a part of OEO, now separated from that and headed bi the former
dean of the Stanford Law School. The North County Community Legal Services
office had been !occ'zed in other areas, such as Sunnyvale and Mountain
View, for a while. At the present it was located in Palo Alto, next to
the court house. The Bar Association had been concerned because the
Community Legal -ervices program, with its main office in San Jose, was
thinking of re -locating the office in San Jose which world require that
poor clients had to travel some distance. The budget for the entire
dtea was a out $500,000, per the cost of running the North County office
was only $15,000. The costs were less due in part to the fact tbst the
office was provided rent-free, and that the two working attorneys served
on a part time basis. The $15,00j was about 2 percent of the income but
approximately 12 percent of low --income people live in this area, Palo
Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, which coincides with the municipal
district, that is, the Superior Court, which serves that area. Also
among those qualifying were the several thousands at the Veterans Hospital,
who were unable, physically, to go to San Jose. If the office were
terminated a large number of people would have no legal representation
locally. Termination was under consideration partially from budgetary
needs and some philosophical differences. When there had been a financial
crisis about two or three years ago, throughout the country, the Bar
Association assessed themselves and did supply the funds for two years.
The third year was constdered an interim period, and now there was an
additional $150,000 an4 it was felt the Bar Association would not vote
the additional assessments. Even so, the office might be terminated.
The question was not arse of money so much as whether or not a big law
office would operate in San Jose, or they would continue to operate with
a small office here in Palo Alto. The statistics in Councilmembers'
packets had been supplied by Michael Palomino, who worked with Alec
Andress on the City staff. Low income people in this area, Mr Flicker
said, are not very well organized so that those who felt it was important
to continue the program should sake their opinions on the subject kmown
to the Legal Aid Corporation. Be said he would supply names of those
ambers if they were vented.
Councilmesber Carey asked if the program was funded through the County.
Mt. Flicker replied that he did not think there were any county funds.
It was a non-profit corporation which got its grants from National Legal
Services, which got the money from Washington.
Countcilmember Carey wondered if the allocation in the County wont subject
to action by the Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Flicker replied that he did not think the Board of Supervisors had
anything to do with the program.
Councilmmber Carey said he had had Something to do with the OEO fends
in the sixties, and they had been apportioned by county allocation.
Councilmeeber Clay asked who appointed the board of the county legal
services.
Mr. Flicker, said he thought the Board of Supervisors "might have a
certain number of slots" and also the Bar Association, then some of the
Board members had to be Son -attorneys.
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Councilmember Cray said that typically OEO funds came through a lccel
governmental body, which he had thought might be the case in this instance.
Mr. Flicker answered t.1at typically that would be tree, but that Legal
Services had split off and was totally independent of OEO.
Mayer Sher said he ‘4deretood that, Congress makes the appropriation to
the Legal Services Corporation in Washington, which then "rung its own
show," and the program was different from programs with OEO, and he did
not think either county or Board of Supervisors was iu any way involved.
He said the mater ivas a recurring problem, and he strongly supported
the resolution, ae he had in the past," resisting preeture to close up
the offis'. He thought it would be too bad if ',maple living locally }sad
to go all the way to San Jose for services.
Councils tuber Carey supported the motion, denigrating those who objected
to paying 2 percent of the budget to serve 12 percent of the clisnte.
MOTION PASSED: The motion to approve the resolution to maintain North
County Community Legal Services in its present location and at its
current level passed on a unanimous vote.
COUNCILMEMBER EYERLY RE LENGTH OF COUNCIL MEETINGS
i
Councitmemoer E)erly said he was bothered by the fact that CoulLcil
meetings often rare past midnight. At those late hours he did not think
Council's decisions could be r:s sound. He did not i:sink Council h.5d
Corrected been overworked trvrn1ly. He prIferred that Council hold meetings up to Corrected
See pg. "a sensible hour" and continue matters to the next weekly meeting, See pg. 350
350 rather than have meetings cancelled. He thought that in the interests
of shortening meetings Councilmembers should cut down on long, prepared
stat ents and repetitious replies, ae well as holding public speakers
to the five minute limit. He held that if Council meetings began to run
continually until after midnight he would leave at 11:30, as ex -Council -
member Comstock had done in the past. He regretted this because be had
been diligent in his attendance, and he did not want to have natters
dealt with in his absence if he could avoid it.
Mayor Sher said he did not agree with all Councilaeezber Eyerly bad said
and he himself saw little difference between meetings in the past four
months compared to foregoing meetings.
Counci.lmeaber Clay said he agreed with Counciiaaaeber Eyerly and be
thought more attention should be paid to trying to shorten the meetings;
even in meetings with short agendas the actual meeting time had been
lengthy. Pilling in dates schsuled for cancellation, therefore, might
just mean more lat* greetings. Perhaps no items should be tags, up after
10:30 p.m. in that way making certain Councilmembers would be alert and
could make good decisions.
Councilaeeber Carey observed that paradoxically he was going to lengthen
the present meeting while discussing how to shorten meetings. 8a s ageuttd
that he would rather have two meetings running early, if need be, than
Otte or two meetings ending late; be found long meetings too taxing when
be ha' to go to work the following morning. He also said that some
thought prior to the meetings could save time at the meetings. The one-
half hour spent. corrections to the minutes bad not, in his opinion,
resulted in substantive changes between what was printed and what wipes
said. In 50 percent of the corrections, the "Changes" had been taken
2 8 3
10/25/77
from the written notes, not from tin sense of what had actually hoer
said, for the minutes were supposed to capture the "sense" of *bt was
spoken, and not the actual words. He also urged that arguments given by
ore Councilmember in support of a point of view not be repeated by
another Councilmember.
Councilmember Henderson held that the "sense" of what ha had said was
totally different iron what was written in the sinutes. He recalled a
study of some years back which affirmed that Counci members who wrote
out statements ahead of time actually took less time than those Council-
sembers who had not done so.
OCTOBER 31 MEETING (5th Monday)
Mayor Sher noted that on the fifth Monday,_a Monday on which _ the__ Council
doee_ re4 a _sally - ,;.tau,- they would hold a meeting with Palo Alto's represent-
ative co the County Board of Supervisors, Gerry Steinberg, to'talk about
matters of mutual cmcern.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1. Robert Muss, 4010 Orme, spoke of some comments Wade during the
debate about Barron Snare the previous week. The statement that
multi --family was intended As a buffer between single-family and
commercial was true, in his opinion, but he was surprised to learn
that commercial was intended for the front along El Casino, because
on the Comprehensive Plan the entire area was colored brown. Be
wondered if there were going to be revisions leaving the Townehouse
Motel and restaurants in commercial. On the stai:!arint that a
change in the zoning, .with a return to single-family meaning that
the Comprehensive Plan would be thrown out:, he observed that the
Charter recognized that the Plan was a living document, with the
Planning Commission charged to annual review and comment upon
changes to the Plan. The Carey aunt had recognised that there
were differences between existing uses and proposed uses, reguliz ng
a system for reconciling the two. He was sure that before the nest
year was out there would be a number of revisions to the Boning map
and the Plan. Another comment bed been wade that a decision had
been made that the Barron Square project was an appropriate plan,
and so people had bunted through the Pien boating for programs to
support their notion. The apposition's:ould have done that also, he
held, though, ha said, they had not done so, inste7d reading the
Plan and trying to reconcile it with the program. Be pointed out
that the major paint side wee that the proposed project was in
consomme with the souiag map. Mr. Mose held that the souring nap
sees caly one. whet of the Comprehensive Plan, which yea made up
of awl elements. Hs said his group felt that au overwhelming
caber of programs and policiaa stated in the Comprehensive Plan
were in opposition to Barron Square, as it was proposed. In gmmmarel,
Mr. Moss concluded, his group warns gratified with Councilmember
Carey's notion not to develop the C -3-R-3 property on Kmmbell and
the .9 acre along El Camino at a hi,Bher density than the rest of
the project. He hoped that both Cowifetea and Council Weald take
that as a directive. Se thought that if parcel. wry
at moo avers than 9 to 10 *mats amn acre would have 1:4opod
-long way toward satisfying - people's objec t,
RH P�S`4 SESSION
SE$SI0
MOTION: Councilmember Carey aov.d,` , sO iadad by Alm, that Council
adjourn to Ixecutive Swamis6 the passed 1311 s. a vets.
2$4
10/23/77
Council adjourned to Executive Session at 9:10 p.m.
The Executive Session and the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
ATTtST:
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