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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-01-19 City Council Summary MinutesCITY COUNCIL Minutes Regular Meeting January 19, 1976 CITY Or - PALO ALTO ITEM PAGE Adjourned Meeting of January 12, 1976 5 5 0 Retirement of David V. 1richtm 5 5 8 Retirement of William Moody 5 5 8 Resolutions of Appreciation a Study Group for the Elimination of Architectural Barriers for the Physically Disabled 5 5 9 Finance and Public marks Committee Recommends re Eluauor Pardee Park 5 6 0 Finance and Public Works Committee Racoemends re Golf Course 5 6 2 Appointment of Louis B. Green, Assistant City Attorney 5 7 5 Proposed PAUSD Merger 5 7 5 Oral Communications 5 7 9 Adjournment of January 12, 1976 Meeting 5 7 9 Regular Meeting of Jai..uary 19, 1976 5 7 9 Minutes of December 15, 1975 5 7 9 ►iinutea of January 5, 1976 5 8 0 Consent Calendar 5 8 0 Garden 'terrace Annexation Mo. 5 s Monroe Park Area 5 8 0 1976-81 CIP (Referral to Finsoce fi Public Works Committee) 5 8 0 Public Bearing: 1976-77 Community Block Grant Funding 5 8 0 Compensation Plan for Management, Confidential, and Casual/ Special Employees 5 8 3 Recess to Executive Session 5 8 ,' Stop Sign Systems Evaluation Study 5 8 5 Palo Alto Airport 5 8 6 Ad j oust 5 9 4 557 1/19/76 January 19, 1976 ADJOURNED MEETING OF JANUARY 12. 1976 The City Council of the City of -Palo Alto set on this date at 7:45 p.m. in a regular meeting with Mayor Norton presiding. Present: Stalin', Berwald, Carey, Clay Eyerly, Norton, Sher, Witherspoon Absent: Comstock RE ST TO MOVE THE REGULAR MEETING OF r s4 & and 5FOId ,. 3 N THE AGENDA MOTION: Mayor Norton moved, seconded by Beahrs, that Items 4, 4a, and 5 of the regular meeting of January 19, 1976, be brought forward at this time. The motion passed on a unanimous vote. IOrTIIU2EI tP DAV][I} W. .ERiCR'T (Q 1 :616:5) MOTION: Councilman Hasbro introduced the following resolution and moved, seconded by Berwsld, its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 518 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY Or PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO DAVID W. BUICHTA UPON HIS RZTI1 .PAST" Mayor Norton called forward Mt. Brichte and presented his with a copy of the Resolution and a placque in recognition of his service to the City. Councilman Bexwald remarked that anyone who bee spent thirty years with fife City is dmsavv ng of special praise and he certainly joined in ct of Mr. Brichta for .his ` fine service. The resolution was adopted on $ unanimous vote. RETIE OP WILLIAM MOODY (Item 4a) Mayo?: Norton said that a resolution had been adopted et the January 12, 1976 meeting. expressing appreciation to William Moody upon his retirement. Mr. Moody bad not hoes present but wee in the audience this evening. Mayor Norton preseated Mt. Moody with * copy of the Resolution and a placque. Councilman Berweld observed that Mr. Moody bad outseried every member of the City Council. 5 5 S 1/19/76 RESOLUTIONS OF APPRrCIATION - STUDY GROUP IERS ltrifffr ib .. --- Mayor Norton expressed, on behalf of the City Council, appreciation for the fine work done, emphasizing that many of their ideas have been, or are going to be, implemented by the City of Palo Alto and, hopefully, will present an example to many other municipalities and governmental agencies for the installation of these ideas. He recorded the Council's thanks to and recognition of the following people: Lee Baehan, Reid Bogert, John Braun, Margaret DeLain, Jo Ellen Duetscher, Richard Farr, Jo Guttadauro, Joseph Hennessey, Helen Jones, Stephen Jones, Phyllis Klein, Stuart Maim, Charley Peterson, Bill Pcelle, Jean Poelle, and Stanley Stratton. John Brauu, 3494 South Court, Chairman of the Study Group, expressed gratitude for the work that has bean accomplished by the group over the past 211 years,. noting improvements in accessibility in Palo Alto. He added that this project has also attracted the attention of many who knew nothing about architectural barriers prior to the program's inception. Mr. Braun expressed the desire - to see Project Mobility expanded to include people in wheelchairs, suggest- ing a system utilizing vans, which although costly, might be considered jointly with the cities of Menlo Park and Mountain View. In conclusion, Mr. Braun expressed thanks, for their diligence and cooperation, tc. City staff members who made the work of the Study Group proceed smoothly. Dr, Steve Jones, 1030 Greenwood, added his thanks to those expressed by Mr. Braun, indicating his belief that Palo Alto will continue in the fore- front of cities who have taken the initiative to provide that is truly accessible for the physically disabled. He said that his experience as an employee of the Veterans Administration telis him that many disabled people who will be discharged from his ward will settle in this area not only because of the warmth and friendliness of Palo Alto, but because of the City's leadership in moving forward on the e1irninatioe of architectural barriers, Richard Farr, 3897 Corina, said thet tonight he was proud to be able to say that he is a resident of the C:i,ty of Palo Alto, a City which has recognized and responded to the special needs of hie minority group. He said the goal of achieving parity between he physically disabled members of the sub- population in Palo Alto and the able-bodied members would not be gaud until any perscn, regardless of his physical disability or means of smbulation, is able to go anywhere et any time without assistance. He also spoke in behalf of public education in the area's of recent State legislation, relevant to this topic, and the need for constant reminders to City staff, because of turnovers, of the architectural barrier problem* that confront the physically disabled. He felt that the City, because of the interface between the private sector and City Hall through various departments, has unique opportunity to function in this education at the architectural review board stage, building inspection stage, etc. MOTION: Councilmen Beeler* introduced the following resolution and weed, seceaded by C'o'rey, its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 5169 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE CECIL OF TES CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE STUDY GR(XIP VOA THE ELIMINATION OF ARCHI- TECTURAL BARRIERS TO THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED FOR OUTSTANDING AND CONSCIENTIOUS SERVICE" The resolutions 559 1/19/76 was adopted on a unanimous vote. Councilman 8erwald, as a point of personal privilege, reminded the Council that the Project Nobility matter will come back before the Finance and Public Works Committee et budget time, so that some of the suggestions made this evening will be discussed during budget sesaion. FINANCE AND PUBLIC WOkKS COMMITTEE ATION RE EL O PARK (CMR:lOC:s) MOTION: Councilman Berwald introduced the following ordinance and moved, seconded by Eyerly, its approval for first reading: ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO APPROVING AND ADOPTING A PLAN FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF ELEANOR PARK (AKA (A ELEANOR PARDEE PARK) Councilman Berwald, Chairman of the Finance and Public Works Committee, commented that this item has been the subject of widespread community concern for some time. The Council deferred action on thin matter for a number of ninths to allow the residents in the adjacent areas to Eleanor Pardee Park to fully discuss and debate the various issues with respect to improvement of the Park. Councilmen Berwald noted there were a number of people present this evening interested in this project and took occasion to thank, on behalf of the Committee, members of the public, the Staff, and Helen Proctor, for the tremendous cooperation given the Committee. He said that the Committee has come to a very equitable aolution which will provide a Park which is useful, beautiful, deed .practical. He said that the Committee was pleased at the preservation of the environmental aspects of, the park, particularly in maintaining the natural meadow and, in general, trying to do as little disrupting of the natural planting as possible. He said that the Stafff had come in at a coot of approximately $135,000, aignif» icently leas than the amount the Committee had set as a ceiling which, in tarn was loser than the original cost; thus a valuable and ecouomicai improve— ment had been accomplished, and he gave credit to the Staff for their good wok. Dr. Homer Hunt, 65 Kirby Piste, felt that the Eleanor Pardee Park plan should include plans for an active park with recreations/ facilities, notably tennis courts. He said that this was the assumption of, most neighbors until the Lsetiieg in January 1974, when Fir. Bruns and Mrs. Proctor presented the new park plan, and it vas discovered that all active ports of the park had beans tskeu out. Be said homed owner& in the vicinity of the park bought their property knowing the park belonged to the whole city rather then solely to people lives in the :tmmsdiste vicinity, Re asked that the active part be consideereed, suggesting any active facility, such as tennis courts, be placed 200 feet or more from any property line, back ard, enyotaa s fens. etc. Bs recommeaded any active ve facility be at least 100 feet away from the street. Be saw no tearticular increase in volume of traffic or people to the are:, indicating many weekend park users are from cut of the area. Ha felt active facilities in the park would attract responsible adults, :legating the concern about policing the park. Dr. Runt ached if the City cannot provide funding for tennis courts, the people interested be alloyed to form their own group. Re indicated their raadfla ass to do so, to put in tennis courts at their own use, forii a lease with than City, end make oli necessary legal arrangements tohave their own tennis facilities. 560 1/19/76 Councilman Sher reported what had occurred at the Committee meeting. He indicated that some people who had been strong advocates of the tennis courts over the long period of the project were there, and while they were still not happy about the absence of tennis courts, he felt they were in agreement about the present plan under the circumstances. Given the conflict in the history, it was a good compromise plan, and at least if there were not going to be tennis courts, they were happy a tremendous amount of money over and above what had been budgeted was not being spent. He applauded Mrs. Proctor for her efforts, her cooperation, her greet patience. He said that for the kind of park it is going to be, the plan is first-rate and a credit to all who have worked on it. Mayor Norton added his thanks to those expressed by Councilman Sher to Mrs. Proctor for her dedication to the project. Councilwoman Witherspoon asked Mrs. Proctor about irrigation of the meadow grass, particularly in the summer months when it would be dry. Mrs. Proctor answered that on the meadow there would be seven quick couplers to provide water when it becomes dry. She indicated the meadow would be mowed as eseded - possibly three or four times a year - to eliminate fire hazard. Initially, it will be planted entirely in wildflowers, with weeding of grass to come later, after thewwildflowers have taken hold. Special care will be given to minimize spreading of weed needs. Councilwoman Witherspoon expressed her concern about possible damage to the meadow from dogs and children. Hrs. Proctor explained that the meadow area was planned for just that purpose, a rn.atural area which children and doge can enjoy in the aianner of an old- fashioned vacant lot, but far more beautiful. She said that they would not mind if the children picked the wildflowers, which will be abundant and of several varieties. The meadow has been planned so as to attract more wild- life. The irrigation system has flexibility so that it can be easily changed if, at some later date, bringing in sod and turfing the area over is desirable. Councilman Carey indicated he would be voting against the measure, because he was in favor of an active park in this location, specifically with tennis courts. The ordinance woks approved for first reading on the following vote: AYES: beal:rs, Bervald, Clay, £yeerly, No r t on , Witherspoon NOES: Carey ASSENT: Comstock MOTION: C uncilmsn Seruald Bored, seconded by Sher, the adoption of amend - neat No. 1 to the agreaat, and that Council find that this project has no significant environmental impact: AKEINMINT . i TO AGREEMENT -e- PROMS/MIL =VICES, LANDSCAPE A MITECTURAL $ZVICES POI =ANON PARDEE PARK PHASE 11, PROJECT NO, 72-35 The ant to the agreement and finding of no -significant enviroaasertel irpact mss adopted on a unanimous vote. 561 1/19/76 FINANCE AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEZIREVNITIR MOTION: Councilman Berwald in behalf of the Finance and Public Works Committee moved, seconded by Eyerly, adoption of the following recommen- dations: a) Approve the concept of remodeling the golf course along the lines proposed in the consultant's report and that staff be authorized to proceed with the working drawings. b) Accept the concept of Plan B for the golf clubhouse and recom enda that the plena and bids include pro- visioze for solar power and wind energy to the extent feasible, and that staff be authorized to proceed with the working drawings. c) Recommend that payasetzt for golf course improvements and amortization of costs be made from golf fee re- venues and the precise fee schedule and precise method of fiva acfng be retained in committee pending further study. Councilman Berwaid thanked members of the Committee, especially Councilman Sher, who chs;red meetings concerning the golf course and Eleanor T`ereee Park utters in Councilman's Bc weld's absence due to conflict in other meetings he attended a?s a amber of the Palo Alto City Council. Councilman Berwald commented that there had been sentiment expressed, during the pest few days, by members of the public and a member of the Council, re- garding fuss for reaidcntae versus fees for tot -residents. That sentiment favors that fees for resident' be kept as low as possible; that fee for resident senior citizens be discounted to the extent possible; and that non-reaeident fess take up the burden. Councilman Berwald indicated that fees will ruin in the Committee, providing members of the public ample opportunity to =press themselves' - es often at possible. Vice Mayor Clay asked Councilman Berwald if, with respect to financing end fess, it would be practical to consider the change of green fee rate sod implement it prior to working out the other financial details. Councilmen Seraewld agreed to the practicality of Vice Mayor C1my's question, adding he thought it apptepriate to hear from staff en this natter. He said Smith Drum had information to brim forward this evening. Councilman Bcrwtld thanked stet' and Gary Baird, Jobe Boyd, end William Sharman, c.ousulta nte, for their magnificent job on this pso j ec t . Cow:mailman hsabzs said that st the Committee discussions, he had raised the p uibility of incorporating in the plan as extra fairway which would be utilised to improve the general condition over a long period. Be said that for years, the City has carried on the battle of the Yacht %arbor and that these had been great problems with disposition of spoil.:,, though practical use of the last simply was fie. Be *aid it occurred to him that to some degree, the spoil* problem could be setisfied and City's solid waits dump could be conserved by dole. se 4116 city in the east bas dons: :aka leases and street dogs in the community end p l.vsriee and cwt them, making many thou/made cubic yeards of compost and soil additives in the course of one year. Be said that instead of destroying dues:, as bas been dames in the past, utilization of his suggeetion, over a period of years, would give the city 5ft2 1/19/76 a magnificent golf course by building up fairways and improving both soil and drainage problems. He said that though not in the position to estimate the costs at the Committee meeting, experts present did not deny the poss- ibility of his suggestion. He added, in the interests of good conservation and good politics, implementing this idea could e1imieate a problems which has bean perennial in this community. C.ouncilnan Baehr@ hoped to see e motion presented, *king that working drawings be developed to accomodate this suggestion. Mayor Norton recorded he had shared similar thoughts over many years and saes advantages in seriously exploring the matter. He asked for Mr. Bruns input and comments in this regard, Mr. Keith Bruns, Recreation Director, responding to Councilman Clay's question on green fees` said that staff and consultant, at earlier discussions, felt 'it best to keep the subject of green fees and costs in Committee, at least during the time of preparing working drawings, or until after the golf course is .:oipletea. He said staff is within range now, but as time draws closer to construction, there would emerge a better idea of what green fees should be, at well a>a the revenue produced from the contracts for the coffee shop and the pro shop, after those facilities are built. He said that William Sherman, a consultant on this aspect of the program, did the management and the fee ranges study, and called upon him to comment. Mr. Sherman said that fees can be determined at any time, but generally no fees are charged and no fee changes are cede until after improve ante are in. He said that better determination can be made on appropriate fees once cost of the improvements ie known and method of financing le chosen. When costa are refined and such variables as length of the pay -back term is known and whatever philosophy is adopted by the Council, insofar as retiring the fee is concerned, when all of these matters are determined, Mr. Sherman suggested that would he the best time to set the fees. In, a preliminary manner, however, Council could =eke detenrivation prior to the other factors being in. Vice Mayor Clay felt the two could be considered quite independently of each other. He said it was unlikely fees would be increased to the amount needed to pay back the cost of development. He pointed to the fact that Palo Alto has the lowest green fee in the area, perhaps in the State. He was of the opinion that the Sunnyvale fee is $6.54 on weekends, so a Sunnyvale resident can play in Palo Alto at lower cost then he pays in his own city. He said, frreapective of the costs of making improvements, the City's course now charges the lowest green fee locally and, for that reason, ought to be considered in any ea*. Moreover, since the matter of fees was eventually going to be acted upo , he questioned waiting until all changer have been made and costs incurred before setting the fees. He felt it arguable either way. Councilman Berwald said that it seemed to him that since the question of fee* is in Committee, which is not bound by any time conetraiots, Vice Mayor Clay's comments would be taken into consideration when the committee looks at the fees. Vlca Mayor Clay eekaed Mr. Bruns to co at on Councilman Beahre' question with regard to upgrading the fairways. Mr. Bruns said whey that question wee raised in Committee, Gary Baird of Robert Trent Jones spoke to that matter. He Asked Mt. Baird to speak again this evening. -- let.. Baird thought that tie golf course lacks feature* which enhance th4 enjoy -- at Of play a that. Councilman Bsahrm' suggestion wee definitely a poss- ibility. He said there are areas on the preset golf course which would lend 563 1/19/76 themselves to this type of situation, whereby a supply of material could be built up and, eventually, used, over a great period of time, to raise the fairways. Hs thought this would benefit any drainage or irrigation problems and also enhance the a►oathetics of the golf course. Councilman Beahrs asked if this could be provided for in the working drawings contemplated. Mr. Baird said they would probably show in the working drawings those areas which would lend themselves to that type of situation. Councilman Beahrs asked if they would than identify areas which could be developed and used as alternate fairways .until the neat fairway was improved, for example. Mr. Baird responded affirmatively. Councilman Carey said he had several areas of concern he wanted to express so that staff, public, and those with empertise might comment. One area had to do with green fees and whether or not non-resident fees could be increased now, not later, since competing municipal golf courses were sub- stantially higher. Also, with respect to resident fees, he wanted to see nominal or no intreaaee for senior citizens and young people. Whether that restructuring could produce the same kind of revenue would, as he understood it, be studied by the Committee, as earlier discussed. Another concern he voiced was on cost of the project. He said the golf course needed renovation, edding it has been a large revenue producer for the City; as the report statist some 87'0,000 per year of so-called profit comes into the General Fund and helps subsidize other activities of the City. However, if one reads the statistics, he said the number of players and revenues has generally beguc. to decrease. He assumed the cause has to do directly with the condition of the course itself. Ile suggested a visit to the Clubhouse will reveal it will not win any swards for either architectural integrity or condition. However, he was concerned about problems fecing the City this year en how to balance the budget, adding that at the present time, the City Manager is not quite $i million off and trying hard to make the two coax together. He pointed out that the golf course project .ras s large capital expenditure. He queetiomed the possibility of cutting $200,000 out of the proposed budget, still accomplishing City's goals. He saw reductions passible in several areas. He would not suggest cutting expenditures in improving the course itself; however, if the driving range Were to remain Whirs it is. this would eliminate driving rang* development, driving range toe and driving range fence, total cost is An excess of 880,000, s sub- stantial savings. Bs felt, from reeding the report, that the only rationale for 'ovine ng the driving range is aesthetics and pedestrian congestion, so he wanted comment about not moving the driving range, with accompanying savings of some $80,000. Nest, with respect to the Clubhouse itself, Councilman Corey wee greatly concerned about providing a restaurant lacllity. She report itself cited one Local municipal course which hose provided for a restaurant, and it is still vaunt after, three *sets. Re added that there are two loca restaurants in the area of the golf course now, end he asked for cwt about fusibility and pr:fitib lity of providing for a restaurant on site, Further, he questioned that significance of having a 1600 squere foot meeting Ya m in the new Clubhouse. • Hs .said he was referring to plan 3, the Committee's recommendation. 8o Said if the meeting roost were eliminated, if the potential provision for a restaurant ors oidelneted, if the driving ra ng. is_left where it is, and with some other minimal changes, he could see a potential savings of anees $100,00G.$300,000. He said he had noticed the new Clubhouse coot estimate is an average of $35 per .square foot, and that includes par -third of the specs for cart storage and asintsnence. Be fonm4 it difficult to sae bow each -a facility could, cost $35 per sgvesre foot. Be hoped that as people comment this *ironies, they would address themselves to his gueetione. 564 1/19/76 Mayor Norton said he understood that the Committee recommendation does not presently include a restaurant, and he asked Councilman Carey if his objection was providing for space for a future restaurant. Councilman Carey said that as he read the report, while he realized the Finance Committee's recommendation does not include a restaurant, his assumption was that the cost of the new Clubhouse had been increased Borne-. what to provide for that in the future, He asked if that was correct, or would it be a eepsrata building. Mr. Brune responded that the restaurant would be separate, as it is now proposed. Councilman Beahrs said he would like to ask Councilman Carey if he does not realize that the course and all that is to be enjoyed there has been amortized over a period of years by the golfers and, at the same time, that golfers have contributed something like $70,000 a year to the General Fund of. the City. Councilman Beahrs expressed concern over Councilman Carey' s state - matt, feeling it would generally infer that it is not his intention that the facility amortize its new investment which Councilman Beahrs felt was contemplated in the Committee, He said that varying methods of prospec- tive financing were considered, i.e., creation of a non-profit corporation. He said it was certainly Committee's intention that General Funds not go into this project but that it be financed iedependently of the City's General Fund. He asked Councilman Carey if he intends that golfers con- tinua to subsidize the General Fund of the City. He didn't know whether there is any equity in that; if this is to be the city's policy, perhaps the tennis players should be asked to amortize the investment in the tennis courts, and swimmers in swimming pools. Councilman Carey answered that it was not his statement that. the City should subsidize the golf course. He said he is not concerned the course will run at a deficit, because it won't. If projections are met, it will continue to provide a surplus of some $35,000 a year. Assuming projections are correct, he felt there was no need to deaf with that question. Nevertheless, he saw a loss of some $35,000 a year in revenues to the City that the City formerly had. Under normal circumstances, that might not be significant, but this year, any loss of revenue is significant. His questions, with respect to the report, have to do with the possibility of cutting costs, which would reduce, if it bonded, bond costs and therefore increase cash flow. He said that if the City can do it, he is for it. But it seamed to him, in reading the report, the driving range facility was being moved at substantial coat for, amo>..g other reasons, eesthet ice, and he wanted an answer to ttl.:st analysis. Is it purely aesthetics; and if it is, he might rather save the $80,000, If there are other reasons, he wanted to hear thanes, Mr. Brune said that when staff and Committee worked on this, they developed one plan with the lakes where the present driving range ins, *oving the range for utter management of the course and good traffic flow. He called upon. Mr. Baird, who designas>d this plats, to respond to the questions. Mar. Baird said thet relocation of the driving range Was not solely for - aesthetics. Ne•ds from a playabileity -standpoint were considered, and traffic floe was a major problem for golfers, carts, and simple pedestrian traffic to that area, He *aid that the !8th hole on the existing plan is a 3 -par which ends ep distant from the golf course, and there are also additional problems with slow play in this aresv He added the driving range could not be left where it is presently without having to re -do the complete plan es it affects the per and the number of holasae ate they begin and cone in from the turn. He said the proposed relocation of the driving range is to the South of the existing lOth fairway. Sb5 1/19/76 1 Councilman Carey said, thew, that his understanding is the existing driving range will become the 10th fairway. Mr. Baird indicated that about half of it would. Councilman Carey asked if. the 10th fairway would still be a par 4. Mr. Baird stated it would. Councilman Sher said he wanted to pursue one matter, Councilman Carey had raised, relating to changing the location of the practice area which calls; for con- struction of a large fence along Embarcadero Road. He said the Planning Commission was concerned about that at a time when they thought the fence vas going to be 12 feet high; in fact, it is going to be 20 feet high - a lo> , high fence. He said he bad raised questions at the Committee meeting and eras told in somewhat vogue terms that eventually the landscaping would flourish, and the fence would fade into the background. Councilman Sher said he is still concerned and is hopeful that thin matter will be looked at in the preparation of drawings and that Council will get definite figures about landscaping, length of time, etc. He said he has not lost sight of this con- cern and that it is a matter which people will be looking at carefully. He *aid Councilman Carey's c ents suggested that if the range didn't have to be coved, there veld not be the problem. However, Councilman Sher felt Committee aid coaasultaet .were quite perau.eeive that it wsen't simply a question of swapping the location but a matter of the whole concept with lake, 18th hole, practice area all building upon itself. Councilman Sher also addressed the matter of fees and financing, a question he *aid was pursued in great detail in Committee. He said Committee felt there was much more refinement necessary and that these matters would be retained in Committee. He saeid there were various views about increasing fees, resident versus nos -resident, juniors, seniors, etc., all of which were still open gestations. He felt a full-blown discussion of this matter at this evening's meeting world not result in a decision being made. He hoped those questions could be reserved until the next Committee meeting. Councilman Sher - did think, however, that P4r. Sipel sight want to comment upon the point Councilman Clay motioned earlier about the possibility of non-resident's fee being changed at this times. Hs wood;red if that portion of the fee question ought not to be looked at during tha budget process when Council is considering revenues. Mt. Sigel concurred. He added however, that a point to consider would be avoiding driving too many people sway from the mums, although he said his understanding Isms that business is r back to 106;000 rounds became* of the good weather. He did epee with Councilman Sher, however, that fees should be reviewed durine the budget process. Mayor Norton said that Councilman Herweld reminded his that Robert Tent Jonas firs did the design study gratis. He coated be felt that this wee worthy of noting bete this evening* stems this rarely happens. Ray Witt, 769 Allen Court, a somber of the Golf Course Advisory Committee, said that the Palo Alto Golf Course is not standard and therefore not most desirable in one aspect. Re said it does not have the sass number of par three, par four, end par five blares that are customary. Re said of 16 holes, there are 5 par three's, $ par five's, and tee par four's; whereas 4 par fives, 4 par . three's are standard. He said it's desirable to make the 16th hole e par four end the 17th hole a par four so that on* would finish on two par four's. Be said the 16th hole cannot be a par four with the driving range where it now is. He felt the study entitled "Golf Course Improvements" tp be a super effort end response to the over-all current problem. He said the 566 1/19/76 gist of the study was a Plan A, Plan 6, and Plan C. He said Plan A is a "band -aid" treatment to a coffee shop and facilities that axe already delapidated; Plan H is a renovation of the golf course --demolition of erisiting facilities and creation of new; Plan C is a separate restaurant. Plan b encompasses a coffee shop but no restaurant. Mr. Witt slid the committee kept the restaurant a separate project because they felt that its method of coming into being and the financing are entirely different and the most appropriate 'antler in which other improvements would be handled He praised Messrs, Boyd, Baird and Sherman for capturing all of the Advisory Committee's itput. Mr. Witt said he has talked to between 250-3( users of the golf course over the past two years, and he feels most of them join him in wanting Flan B approved. He said that this facility was used by more people than all other City -sponsored activities combined. Be mentioned that in 1975, over 100,000 rounds were played, indicating that four people tee off every severe minutes, eight hours a day, 365 days a year with the average time spent on the course for each player about five hours - or le million hours of usage at Palo Alto's facility. He said the course has been neglected for 20 years, it needs golf course.improvements, the coffee shop is a dump. It needs tearing down and to be re -done. He said the facilities and the golf course go hand -in -hand and feels it would be inappropriate to cut down on facilities and improve the golf course any more than it would be reasonable to put orange crates instead of shelving in a new library. He hoped the Council would approve Plan R. Robert 0. Davis, 870 Ames Avenue, identified himself as a member of the Golf Course: Advisory Committee and also a member of the Senior Men's Club. The latter group had asked him, over the past 21 years, to present their ideas to the Advisory Committee. He said he wished to voice two points of concern: the green fees, and what do you buy. He added, his most important question abcet the Report is the selection of Plan B for the clubhouse, rather than the alternate Plan A. He pointed to there being quite a cost difference: $415,000 between those two plans. He said he always follows the principle that things should pay their own way and wished to dfrect attention to the first paragraph at the top of page 62 of she Report, which seta forth the policy of the golf course being self-supporting from its revenues. He said that this paragraph states that over the last seven years, 77% of the revenues at the golf teserse has coma from green fees. 25Z has come from the three concessions —food, the Pro Shop, and the driving range. He said the first two he mentioned are clubhouse -related, and dividing the 23% by 2/3 would give a figure of about 15Z that the Clubhouse brings in to the revenues of the golf course. He would like to see spending follow in about that line. He said that the Report further states that there is no change expected in the revenues from the Clubhou=se, and the burden is on green fees. He called for sa facility something similar to what now exists. He agreed currant green fees' are the lowest, as Councilman Clay stated, but he asked that this not be runt out of sight. He said the present clubhouse is basically a good struc- ture, that although old, it is the poet-lead-be.a-type etructure and, in his view, easily remodeled, enlarged or improved. He strongly advocates improve - neat of the present clubhouse as shown under Plan A, with the provision it can be added to and save $415,000 that the golfers would otherwise have to pay out of pocket. He said that tba remodeled clubhouse ends up with 6,770 square feeet, or $230,000, which is $33.90 per square foot. Under Plan B, the near clubbousse was 9,700 square feet, $645,000, $66.50 per square foot - almr+st twice the cost per square foot. Me is coecerned about the schematics on the new clubhouse ben euaee in the basement area of between 2,000--3,000 square feet the floor le one foot below sea level. He estimated the average time a golfer spends on a round of golf is 4 to 5 bourse; of his friends and others he has observed, be doubted if the average time spent in the clubhouse is more than 30 minutes. He cited this an another reason for spewing more money on the golf course and less on the clubhouse. He said this is all lead 567 1/19/16 ing up to the increase as proposed and that, in the end, it still must pay the bill. He felt that the saving of $415,000 to the golfer; because the golfer will be paying it, is a good way to proceed. He said the past success of the golf course has been due to economical feee and many players, and it is his feelan.g that it should continue in this way. He recorded the fact that he is a senior citizen, belongs to the Senior [en's Golf Club and is active in that Club, but said his words thin evening were in no way an appeal for any senior citizens' benefit. He felt this gray for all players, young and old. Draw Pearson Lawrence, 1031 Harker Avenue, expressed gratification for Council's positive attitude on the golf course. He said he understood the matter of green fees would be a matter of continued concern to the Committee. He said he had been working with the Senior Adult Services at the City of Palo Alto to secure discounts for senior citizens. He referred to page 4 of today's Palo Alto Ties mentioning that some 50 merchants have now joined in the program. He hoped Council would give consideration for reduction in green fees for resident senior citizens. Councilman 14erwald commented on i`ir. Davis' reservations about the plan. He said it was fairly well established that green fees and other financial aspects will be taken up in the Finance Committee and hopefully with respect to some of the fees during the budget sessions. He said that perhaps staff or the consultant might wish to comment on the building concerning Mr. Davis' thoughts. :;ouzctlman Eerwa1d said that he understands it, costa of renovating the present building, for what such renovation brings, is not very good, cost/ benefit ratio. e Hr. Bruns said that over the two years the Committee has worked on this project, they hens visited a number of mites. He said Committee and staff felt they had a very integral golf course design with buildings b course designed to accomodate the golf course traffic flow. He eaid they had looked at several plane. They felt they presented the best design they had to the Council this evening. In regard to the building and cost, John Boyd of John Boyd Asaociateea surveyed the current building and made several cost estimates of needed improve- ments. John Boyd noted tit the existing golf course structure is quite old. Hs said the Building and Safety Department had been asked to rake a routine inspection of the building and present facts relative to the building and how it would compare to , present-day day codes. He said they section ?tr: Davis was referring to on the drevings relate to tba new end important interest today on 100 -year flood situations. Be revealed that the present building is below the flood -plane level, and would easily be flooded in a 130-y eer storm. Em said that 11x. Davis mentioned the beaseent floor where the floor is shown at one foot below sea level - that may or may not be below voter level; Wk. Boyd said that they do not have taste yet. Re added that was where they would be if they were to sat the club- house floor at seven feet above mesa. sea level end allowsd a basement for construc- tion and storage. They would like to do this because they went to raise the building and wont the space iCt future golf course storage. Be said that with regard to aaintarsacs of the building, the building is not sprinkleered for fire ;safety, there is no panic hardware, they need an exhaust system, the kitchen is completely inadequate for the n or of people that it earvsefis, the electrical wiring would not amt the present-day code. In sum, it is inad.+aquatse. It co d be somewhat patched up, but :t. Boyd said ha would have to agrees with ht. !;itt's view that it would be as "band aid" type of operation which he did not think Palo Alta na would be proud of. Sad 1/19/76 Councilwoman Witherspoon asked if the figure of $66 a square foot is a ballpark estimate of what the new structure would cost. Mr. Boyd referred to page 47 of the coat breakdown. They figure golf shop, snack berg meeting room, cart storage at about $35 per square foot, theft with the addition of kitchen equipment, furnishings, some allowance for artwork of local origin, fire sprinkler system, landscaping, irrigation around the building, they would tallow $10,000. Totalling these items, they are at $52.68 per square foot. Mrs. Witherspoon naked if $35, then, was the basic, to which Mr. Boyd responded affirmatively, Ma. Anne Steinberg, Chairperson of the Planning Cease/Belot, expressed her concern about the 20 foot fence. She said that Councilman Sher had reported that the Commission was very upset about a 12 -ft. fence. She compared a 20 -ft. fence to the height of a, wall in the Council chambers. She said she could not imagine a fence of that height going up along Fzba*rcadero. Mayor Norton asked if there had been any proposals to screen or othereide minimize the impact of the fence. Mr. Baird said he believes the fence is about 15 feet, which he conceded wee certainly of considerable height. He said it is on a slight berm area. He said there are existing tregs along Rmbarcedero Road; however, minimal though they feel the hazard would be, they felt it expedient for protection of City interests to install the fence in that area until the trees are of mature enough height. He noted there were also driving range fences, consis- ting, of nylon uet-type of construction which are not a vieual imposition for the eye. He said perhaps it has not been pointed out that there are existing golf trees on the golf course of a sire which could he saved and moved to Embarcadero to add additional protection. He said that the practice tee in the area would be angled away from the road to further minimize any possible hazardous situation. Their estimate is that within five to tight years, the additional or supplemental planting which would be done in that area would all but obstruct any undesirable view of the fence. Councilman Carey hoped that these issues could be divided into two parts when the Council votes, the first part being the golf course improvements themselves, and the second part being clubhouse improvements. He said he would hold his question, assuming this, since he still, had questions regarding the clubhouse project. Mayor Norton said there were actually three separate recommendations, so that he could foresee no problem on voting separately on each issue. Councilman Berwald, Chairman of the Finance and Public Works Committee, -referring to the first part of the recommendation, noted the Planning Commission had expressed concern about the fence. Councilman Berwald felt this to be a valid concern, considering all of the work the City has done in the &ayiands. He said consultants ought to be iuformed of the time which has been spent in improving the aesthetics in other areas of the Haylands, including the airport, waste treatment plant, industrial areas, and Yacht Harbor area. He expressed hope when the first part of the recommendation is voted upon, that it is understood that Planning Commission should be consulted in the early .design stages, before working drawings are developed, to take into consideration adjacency of the street, the design -- linear, free -form, or curving type of fence •-- and even take another leak et the alit of the loth hole and driving range. He thought Councilman Carey had these aesthetics in wind when he earlier mentioned the moving of the driv- ing range. Councils Berweld considered the matter important enough to add the following amendment to the first part of the golf course recommendations. 369 1/19/76 AMENDMENT: Councilman Aerwald moved, seconded by Councilman Sher that the Planning Commission be consulted early cn, prior to the beginning of the working drawings, to mitigate any visual intrusion of the driving range on the embarcadero perimeter. Vice Meyor Clay euggeeted that the Arc.hit.ectural Review Board look at thle matter along with the entire project. AUNT RESTATED: Councilman Berwald agreed this should be incorporated into the amendment, which now read: That the Planning Commiasion and Architectural Review Board be consulted early on, prior to the development of working drawings, to mitigate any visual intrusion of the fence en the boundary of the driving range closest to the E barcade`ro perimeter. Vice i1eyor Clay asked consultant hew high the 15 -ft. fence would be from the roadway, assuming the driving range would be somewhat depressed. Mr, laird said that though the tee would be &lightly elevated, it would still be below the level of Pmbarc.adero Road. He commuted, however, that they would need vi, twee a closer look to estimate how high the fence would actually be. Vice Mayor Clay asked if the fence is angled away from Embarcedero Road toward the lCth hole. Hr. Baird responded that it was, and that the practice tee at the close corner to the road would be angled quite a bit away. He said also that 90% of the golfers are right-handed, and 90% of them slice; so hopefully, there would be miniesl problems. Councilor Sher wanted to be clear about the height of the fence. he recallse that at the Committee aeetfug, they did talk about a 20 -ft. fence, and found it referred to in the minutes of the committee tweeting he had in hand. He reminded Mr. Baird that he had responded that the construction costs included those for a fence about 20 ft. high. Tonight Mr. Baird had said 15 feet. Council- men Sher said he was glad the fence had been lowered five feet, if that is right. He eaid that he thought the s .inutea should be corrected. Mr. Baird weld that when his fire had consulted several companies concerning costs for different types of fsncie, they had been given what had been sub - eittsd as an estimate. He said the City could get more specific information, but that his firs wits told the costs could fluctuate, depending upon the type of material the City desired to use. Councilman Sher said be undeaetood about the costs, but as for as the needed height wee concerned, he asked Mr. Baird if he was suggesting 13 feet was ea much es wee needed for safety. ltr. laird felt that 15 feet would be adequate and that it would be the City's decision should they decide to go to 20 feet. Councilman Sher said be felt somewhat better about the consultant's reco - datior although be had reservations, toot about the safety fec 4:nr. Be said they bad talked in CONSitt04 about City's liability if as golf ball should escape the fie aid go through a windehield on Bebarcadero 'load. Bs noted the City has to be coecernsd amt the possibility of such an occureace. Councilman Currey +asked Councilman Borwsld if be understood his notion to have the planning Commissioe end the AU consulted ne to the nature of the fence. Be noted Councilmen Remold had also cited about the tenth Garvey and the driving ranee and inquired who would analyse that. 570 1/19/76 Councilman Berwald said he had in mind that the Punning Commission's' examination would take into consideration his own and Councilman Carey's comments. Councilmen Carey said he had problems with this concept, because he did not think the Planning Commies.ton knows hw to design a golf course. He said he was not singling out the Planning Commission; he does not think the City Council knows how to design a golf toured either. He said he would hope in light of tonight's descussion that the consultant would re-examine his own design; he Corrected had en uneasy feeling that the easy solutions to making the twenty-eigth fairway See pg.?68 ways 4 -par, and the easy solution to getting Lnta traffic in front of the club- house and controlling the tenth tee is simply to slide the driving range over. He said what he was suggesting is maybe there is a tougher solution that would get rid of the fence and the attendant costa. Fe would hope that that part of it could be re --analysed to see if that might be a distinct possibility. Mayor Norton said he had been informed that the present driving range is hazardous on the same score for lack of a fence. Councilman Clay asked Councilman Berwald to clarify the motion. He said it Corrected was his understanding they were only talking about the fence, not a difference See Pg 768 configuration of the driving range and the tenth fairway. Councilman Berwald said he thought, to be precise, the motion_ was to have the Planning Commission and, later, with Vice Mayor Clay's amendment, the Architec- tural Re7lew Board, lock at the visual impact of the fence. Earlier, he had said he mould hope that as a part of the examination: of the fence, the consult- ant would be willing to look at the alignment again. Vice Mayor Clay felt that this would open yap a new set of problems, because to look at the tenth fairway again means looking at the entire plan. He said that, as the conaultar. said, the numerology of the par of the hole etarte with the first tee and ends with No. 18, so that one cannot simply move or interchange the tenth feir ay and driving range without going through the entire plan again. He said it was his undeestanding that they were to be voting on Plan B which includes the design as put to Council on the Layout of the golf course, and he did not want to disturb that, Councilman gervaid thought that if the fence is too close to the road or if it could be redesigned in some way without essentially disturbing Plan 8, the Planning Commission and redesigning consultant ought to look at it, but he did not see the Planning Coaaeisslon Plan 13 and that was not his intent. He suggested Council eight want the amendment motion read back. Mayor Norton esked Ann Tanner, City Clerk, to read the motion as restated. Ms. Tanner said the proposed amendment now reads: That the Planning Commission and the ASS be consulted early on, prior to the development of working draw- ings, to mitigate any visual intrusion of the driving range on the F.,mbarcadero perimeter, ffaayor ?ton said the amemdment would be clearer if it included the .cord fence in connection with the driving range. Be asked Vice Mayor Clay if this clarified his concern. Councilman Berwald said he was really thinking of perhaps the perimeter where the driving range goes along the road. He tbougbt there right be some minor modifications that would have an effect on the fence -• on the placement and on the alignment, perhaps on the design and the planning. 5 1 1/19/76 Councilman Carey said the way the motion reads, it sounds to him as if no working drawings at all can proceed until there is a meeting with the Plan- ning Commission on the fence. He said he does not think that is what Council intends. Assuming the motion were to pass, he thought it meant the project would proceed and working drawings would not be delayed for a meeting with the Planning Commission and ARB about the farce. He said the two were unrelated. That is, the fence itself shall not be designed nor material selected or purchased until AR$ and Planning Commission have a chance to take a look at it. He asked Councilman Berweld if that was correct. Councilman Berwald thought his motion had gone a bit further. He said zit he was saying was that the working drawings on the boundary of the driving range closest to Embarcadero and including the fence should not be completed without them. He said he didn't think the fence and alignment could be changed unless the boundary of the driving range were also changed. Councilman Carey asked if it was Councilman B+er ►*ald' a intent that they could proceed with the rest of the projeict, and Councilmen 8erwald agreed it was, Councilman Carey said he had a sub -issue to discuss, and he neither wanted to hold anything up tun sake a formal issue out of it. However, he would hope the consultant would re-examine the question of the tenth fairway and the driving range. He disagreed with Vice Mayor Clay in that he did not think it involved re -designing the entire golf course. When he teIked, re-examining those two issues, he was assuming the 18th fairway, as modified, would stay the same and that the 18th green would encroach on what is now part of the present driving range facility . He felt it bt111 may be possible to slide the tenth tee all the way aver to Embarcadero Road. The City has extra land there, could work that fairway back to the tenth green where the proposed driving range is. Then the existing driving reuse could slide slightly to the abarcadero side. It wouldn't be as good in terms of control oo the tenth tee, but it would certainly eliminate that fence. He hoped this would be reexamined in the light of Council concern about the fen: e. Mayor Nortoi called for a vote on the amendment to the first of the three motions. The amendment passed on a unanimous vote. Mayor Norton said Council would consider the first of the three parts to be voted on separately. The first motion to be voted upon had to do with the remodeling of the golf course as recommended by the Committee. Part a) of the motion, es amended, passed on a unanimous vote. Mayor Norton called for the vote on the second per; (b), which had to do with the Committee's recommendation on Plan g for the Clubhouse. Councilman Carey expressed continuing concern about the Clubhouse. He said there were many items in the estimate that may be high or inaccurate. He said he was asabomeiug page 48, as ,opposed to page 47, had to do with inflation. He asked if the higher figure, on pass 48, was en inflationary figure. Re referred to figure* for September 1976, and as of September 1975, which show a difference of over $100,000. John Boyd of the consultant group reepondee that the higher figure considered 122 iaileticnery-costs. Councilman Carey said he would offer a substitute motion. He said it would be very arbitrary_and would simply be to approve Plea h for a budget of $140,000 less than submitted. Be said be was not concerned where savings are picked up, but thought it vas important for staff and those involved to get the project built for lees mosey. E. suggested they look at such items as cart storage 572 1/19/76 and maintenance areas, meeting rooms, allowance for sculpture and art, and other such items, to carve $100,000 out of the total budget. Councilman Sher asked Councilman Carey if what he had in mind, in connection with preparing plans for the project, was to give Council two sets of figures, what could be provided on the proposed figure and what could be cut out at a savings of $1100,000, so that Council corald look at both figures and sea what sacrifices have to be made. Councilman Sher would then second and vote for the motion because he thought in tress like this, Council ought to take a look at the options. On the other hand, he agreed with Councilman Carey that it was arbitrary to simply say "do it for $100,000 less", and not know what we Are doing to end up with. Councilman Carey said, that hearing no other second, he would be glad to modify his motion, and he would se modify it. AMENDMENT: Councilman man Carey moved, committee's recommendation to state be provided at the proposed figure, $100,000 less. seconded by Sher, to amend Part b) of the that plans be prepared, to show what could and also what could be provided for Mayor Norton said that the effect of this change vas to have staff come back with two plans, basically one that would coat $100,000 less than the other, Councilman Sher did not agree on two plans. He said he understood there would be one plan under the Plan B concept, with an indication of what might be best cut out to save $100,000. Councilman Bcahrs, felt the motion was quite arbitrary. He said he did not Corrected believe the City had any business sr.ens in providing a first-class country club See pg.76Hestabliahment at the golf course nor did he feel such was intended. He felt the golf course should be up to municipal standards and the standards of Palo Alto and, hopefully, something that the City can afford. He said the idea of an option was agreeable, Councilman Eyerly asked if staff could give any idea on what the architect's fee would be if the Council decides to go into extra options. Mr. Loyd suggested one way to handle part of this problem, and give Council a choice, would be to prepare some bid alternates. He said his firm had done this before. He said this would give Council an opportunity to decide and actually have bid figures before them. !Mayor Norton asked if that would be more expensive than giving Council, at a time earlier than the hid stage, a list of extras th't could be deleted, If Council made a choice at that time, consultants weld then know how to write their bids. Mayor Norton felt otherwise Lt would be delayed until late in the game, leaving the deletion of $100,000 to the bid process. Me. Boyd said that the $100,000 was a bit arbitrary. He said there may be some items, i.e. furnishings, fixtures, an allowance for sculpture and art which C'_uncfl may not want. He advised it would be a mistake to cut down heavily in some areas. Mr, Boyd noted Councilman Carey had mentioned the Meeting room at 1600 square feet, a room for about 150 people in one room; or if it's subdivided, 75; or it could be 4 smaller room with 30 or more people in each room. Mr. Boyd eatd that. room eight be Cut down slightly, but he fait it would We a difficult thing to do in alternates. He suggested that they take slternatss that could be more a matter of grade, i.e. quality of floor covering, quality of glee*, although he said they would like to take into account current energy problewas and . go to thermal gisss, adequate insulation, etc. He said they definitely would like to do some work with solar energy, but solar energy costs more money. 513 1/19/16 He added, however, that it is an item that could be cut out; the same thing applied to wind power. Referring tocart storage, he was sorry that Mr. Sherman was not present, because he'had detail on that matter. He said he understood from Mfr. Sherman that cart operation could become beneficial to the City, where the City could derive considerable revenue from that operation. He said they figured that by raising the building to at least the plus seven feet, which he said is at least seven feet above the mean sea level, they could provide storage for the carts. Mayor Norton said he planned to vote against the motion beca to he assumed the consultants bad come in with the best plan in accordance with Committee's recommendation. He thought that Palo Alto deserves a good facility, not necessarily a country club, particularly in light of the_fact that Palo Altana had been living with the present one for many years. He said he was mindful that golfers, not the General Fund, will pay for it, so he said he would not vote to arbitrarily delete 5100,000. Councilman Eyerly, commenting on the amendment, thought Plan B, the one the Finance Committee went over in some detail, vas well planned and designed. He *aid it was neither a "raj Mahal" nor a "band -aid" job but was merely giving Council the essentials for ae building. He said he would expect architects to follow through on that theme. For those reasons, he was against the amendment and would vote against it. Councilman Berwale said he would also vote against the amendment, much as he would like to save $100,000. He felt that an architect is there for the purpose of designing a structure, an improvement, a park, etc., in the best possible way at the lowest possible cost, consistent with the integrity of the project. He felt that was an ethic of the profession and said he would not want to impede that ethic by putting in an arbitrary 5100,000 savings. He cautioned another reason would be that it weight cost 550,000 to handle that fence along Embarcadero, so he would hope that increased costs would be considered, if it would make the project more appealing both as a golf course and as a part of the Ba►ylaz ds. Vice Mayor Clay said he recalled discussions about University Avenue and downtown beautification, end amts about crosswalks. In an attempt to save money on that project, he said they "got what they got." WITHDRAWN: Councilmen Carey said that with the permission of his second, be would withdraw his amendment. He said they could both count. He said he would propose snottier amendment, and that is that Council got bid alternates when the project is bid in the hops that that is more amble to Council. ANINDHINT: Councilman Carey moved, seconded by Sher, that Council get bid alternates when the project is bid. 1 Mayor Norton asked how many aal.ternstes .0b. Council might require. Councilman Sher said be wasted to declare there and then that be agreed with Councilman Carey►'s motion. Mae said that the consultant did suggest that they bad received elternete hide before,and be would leave it to tba consul- tant without putting any dollar figure on it. It seemed to him that Council should at lust lock at it. Mayor Norton said be would vote +against this motion for the same reason he would have voted against the previous motion, which was withdrawn. 5 7 4 1%49/76 s The Carey amendment failed on the following vote: AYES: Carey, Sher NOES: Beahrs, Berwald, Clay, Eyerly, Norton, Witherspoon ABSENT: Comstock Mayor Norton called for the vote on the recommendation on Plan B. The motion (b) passed on the following vote: AYES: Seahrs, Berwald, Clay, i?yerly, Norton, Sher, Witherspoon ABSTAIN: Carey ABSENT: Comstock Mayor Norton called for the vote on the third part of the Committee's recommendation regarding amortiststion'of costs and fee schedule to be retained in Committee pending further study. The motion p..ssed on a unanimous vote. APPOINTMENT OF LOUIS 3. GREEN ITIITTZITTTT77rrVITIET"'"""' Mr. Robes:t K. Booth, City Attorney, introduced a new Assistant City Attorney, Louis B. Green, who ,joined the staff last week. Mr. Green is an honor grad- uate from Brandeis University in Massachusetts, a graduate of the Stanford Law School, and, for the past two years, has been a member of a Southern California Firm, which represents five cities as part-time City Attorney. Hr. Booth said Mr. Green is eminently qualified, he was selected from among more than 140 applicants for the position, and the City Attorney's Office is extressseIy pleased to have fir. Green Join their staff. Mayer Norton w.lcoeed Mr. Creen to Palo Alto, wishing hiss a long and happy time in our City Attorney's Office. Mayor Norton called for a recess at 9:55 pn. announcing the Council would go into a brief Executive Session. Council recessed until 10:45 p.m.. PROPOSED PAUSD MERGER Councilman Eyerly raised an it. on new business, not on the agenda, regard- ing the proposed merger of Palo Alto Unified School District with San Mateo County. Councilmen Eyer)y said it was hie understanding that son a misfiling end some wrong steps were taken on the initial filing on the petition, and so it does have to be heard again. He said that he believed Council was awsre of the prob1ese. Ha mentioned definite transportation problems existed across t .c County line, In view of the financial condition of the City, although Council has maintained in the past that the School District and Council are two different taxing bodies£ he felt that with uncertainty about what school taxation adjustment* would be made if Palo Alto were joie with the southaro part of Sap Mateo County, Council should take sups to preserve the Palo Alto School District as established. He seer two actions possible: the Council could pass a rsaohation, or Council coin euthories the Mayor to write a letter. Council, Eyerly said he wee prepared to me fora resolution. 5 7 1;19/76 Councilman Beahre agreed with Councilman Eyerly that the situation was anything but a happy prospect to contemplate. He pointed to Palo Alto's having one of the highest school tax rates in the State and one of the most expensive municipal governments. He wondered how this County group vas constituted, expressing disillusionment at the last action, particularly so when he learned that some of the members of .last Commission were "illegal", so to speak. He asked Councilmae Eyerly how these members were placed, by whom, by whose vote, etc. He said he was thoroughly discouraged by self-appointed groups. He was concerned about mucil talk about our democratic system; yet when small groups take on the worlds rsiponsibilities without a vote from the people, it is hard to understand. Councilman Eyerly said he did not have the facts on what happened within the Committee. Ha felt that in view of the taxation situation, the Council should speak to this natter. He indicated there was a hearing scheduled on Thursday night, January 22; thus any action desired by Council would require attention this evening. Councilman Baehr* said that the last Council had left the matter to the School Trusteee, thus both that board and this Couucil have never taken s. policy position. He thought it entirely appropriate for the City of Palo Alto, considering the problems of the day, to take an official position, and he declared willfngnesa to vote. Councilman Berwald said, at the request of some Palo Alto cititene, that he had attended, and planned to testify at, the last meeting at Gunn Nigh School. Although he had requested his sham be placed on the agenda ae a speaker, neither he nor three or four others were called upon. Towards the end of the meeting, which wont on until perhaps one or two in the morning, Councilman Barmaid said he and others had approached the rostrum to find out why they had not been recognised. The Chairman responded he did not have their mammas. Although at first reluctant to show them the list, the Chairman acquiesced whim Councilman Be old mad the other* reminded him this Wt3 a public record. Councilman Berwaald found his name on the list in bold script, and the Chairman said he had been in error. Councilman 1.rveld commented that it appeared to him that a dexcision had been made before the meeting. He also agreed with Council- man Btahre that soma of the hers were possibly illegally seated. Council- man Berval4 said it concerns him that the Counei1, as a body, has not looked at all of tba facts, and be *masted members of the Council consider atteend- ing the meting to asks presentations in smart of, or opposition to the measure. An alternecive action would be to apprise the Mayor of all details and allow him to decide whaether' to write a letter to the County Board. Councilman Berveld said he understands members are nominated by the School Board in the area, according to State Cale. Mayor Horton reminded Council that there was a conflict in meetings on Thurs- day, January 22, is he would shortly by a cing a joint meeting of Council r. eh the Board of Supervi.ors, (sitting es the Transit Board) on the 1/2; salk.a tax matter, so that it would be acrd for anyone from the Council to attend the committee meeting ow that data. Councilwoman Witherspoon said she had conusrsas similar to those expren.ed by Councilmen Eyerly. She said 666 bad written the Beard a letter, outlining 'one of her cotcereo about the propoeasd merger. She said that speaking from the City School Liaison Committee's point of view, and although the Council has not participated traditionally, she felt there is an exception- ally good relationship in this comity between City Council and School Board She, for one, would be vary upset, and she thought s number of other people: in the community would be, too, to have this relationship j sepe rdiserd by PWSD Sergi g into a very large district. She said that while the two bodies, 376 1/19/76 City Council and School Board, have not combined on policy, it was a shock to her when she discovered that the County Committee on School Organization was wondering why they had not heard from the City Council. She said that although this departs from tradition, the Committee is looking for Council as well as community leaders, such as those in the Chamber and many other civic groups, to take a position on this issue. She felt that the introduc- tion of a resolution by the Council would have an impact. Vice Mayor Clay reminded Council that several months ago when the closure of schools problem was discussed, Council decided to respect the boundaries of the different jurisdictional bodies. He supports the view that Council, by majority vote, then approved. He felt that as individuals, each member of the Council can do as each pleases; however, he voiced great reser- vations about bringing school district problems, no matter how severe they - eight be, itico Council Chambers. Therefore, he would vote against a reso- lution. Councilmen Sher agreed with the point made by Vice Mayor Clay. He said there was no resolution on the floor at the moment, so tr_t it might not be necessary to vote. He said that the point that was made lea_c time school problems were discuased is still valid and that this clearly is a matter that relates to schools. The City has an elected School Board, and the fact that the agency that is considering the matter hag remarked it wanted to hear from City Council should not dictate what is right. He repeated there have been numberous dis- cussions by Council about taking positions that were properly before other legislative aaZd executive bodies. Aware that it is a temptation when an issue is at han a Councilmeber might feel about strongly, Councilman Sher felt that it would be a mistake for the Council to formally take action. He hoped there woLid not be a resolution and indicated that if there was; he would not support it. MOTION: Councilman Eyerly moved, seconded by Beahra, that the Mayor write a letter opposing merger of the Palo Alto Unified School District within certain areas of San Mateo County, and that the letter have attached to it the signatures of those Councilmembers who vote in favor of this motion. Councilman Carey stated he hag strong feelings about this issue. He said, however, that were he on the School Board and the City Council passed a formal resolution dealing with an issue within the Board's jurisdiction, he would react unfavorably to this type of interference. Conversely, if the School Board took formal action ou some City Council jurisdictional matter, he felt Council would react similarly. He saw no problems with expreeeing views as individuals; as a collective body, he was opposed. Corrected See pg.768 Councilman Beahrs found no disagreement with Councilman Carey's atatement. However, as he understood it, the School Board on a nu ber of occasions has taken a position in apposition to Council., therefore he felt Council was not at all counter to the School Board. He cited the fact that several School Board members had pleaded with his to take a position, which ha did by latter. He felt that Council is not opposing School Board action and that, as he understands it, the School Board in almost unanimous in opposition to merger. Be felt that a letter could be sent, saying that the City Council of Palo Alto supporra the decision of the Palo Alto School Board. Councilman Berwald said that after some thought, he would have to vote against the motion. Ala asked Councilman trimly if the School Board bad officially approached the Council as a body and asked Council to intercede ins this matter. Councilman Eyerly responded that the -School Board had not. 577 1/19/76 Councilman Berwald stressed that if the motion failed, and it appeared that it would, such failure would imply that Council favored the school merger. Councilman Berwald continued that if the motion did net pass, Council would be in a worse position than before. He favored the Mayor's addressing a letter to the Chairman of the School Board, recognising the problems facing the Board and offering assistance, if desired. Councilmen Beahrs stated it was time each member stood up to be eouuted on this matter. He *aid he was prepared to have the motion defeated but that he would like to see it voted upon and that he was prepared to vote. Mayor Norton called for a vote on the motion. The motion passed on the following vote: AYES: Be.ahrs, Byerly, Norton, Witherspoon NOES: Berwald, Clay ABSTAIN: Carey, Sher ABSENT: Comstock Mayor Norton asked Mr. Booth if the vote in favor was adequate to implement the motion, as passed. Mr. Booth responded that the motion has recommended the Mayor write a letter and that by the vote taken it has passed. Mayor Norton indicated the letter would be to the Committee itself, not, as Councilman Berwald said, to the School Board. The City Clerk wee asked to read the motion. Ma. Tanner read the motion: That the i'uyor write a letter opposing the merger of the Palo Alto Unified School District with any areas of San Mateo County, and that the letter have included in it those Councilmembers who voted in favor of this motion. Mayor Norton said the motion passes by this vote, which he woule read: AYES: Deahrs, Ey,riy, Norton, Witherspoon NOES; l eiveld, Clay ABSTAIN; Carty, Sher ABS : Cosa tack Councilmen Carey suggested since it had not been clear AS to what the motion was, and since same individuals nia7 have been voting with the thought that a eve -thirds vote was required, that Commit vote again. Mayor Norton asked Councilman Carey if he vented to change his vote in ewe ter. Vice Mayor Clay asked, es a point of order, if an abstaining vote was considered to be with the majority. Mr. Booth said that it was not. Be said that a member of the prevailing side would have to move reconsideration. 378 1/19/76 VOTE CHANGED: Councilman Sher requested that his vote be recorded as no. VOTE CHANGED: Councilman Carey requested that hie vote be recorded as no. Mr. Booth advised Mayor Norton that with these changes, the motion failed by a 4-4 vote, Mayor Norton, reported the failed motion and asked if there was any further action on this matter. Councilman Beahre requested the names of the committee so that he could write a letter as an individual. Councilwoman Witherspoon said to write to Mr. David Bower, County Committee on School District Organization, and noted that this group would be meeting on than night of January 22 in Palo Alto. ORAL C&WUN I CAT I ON S Mayor Norton asked if there was anyone present who wanted to speak under Oral Communications. No one requested to speak. ADJOURNMENT OF JANUARY 12 :METING MOTION: Mayor Norton moved, seconded by Berwa1d that the adjourned meeting of January 12 be adjourned. The motion passed on a unanimous vote. The meeting of .January 12, 1975 adjourned at 11:05 p.m. January 19, 1974 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 11:05 p.m. an a regular meeting with Mayor Norton presiding. PRESENT: Beaters, Berrel.d, Carey, Clay Eyeriy, Norton, Sher, Witherspoon ARSE i : Comstock blITUTES OF DE CFaME1t 1 %,,,.,1975 Councilwoman Witherspoon asked that her submitted corrections, to the City Clerk, be read. Ms. Tanner read as follows: On page 517, second paragraph, line four, the word "reservations" should read "resignations." On the same page, same paragraph, lint; five should read "...was for a maximum to be sat rather than s mid." MOTION: Vice Mayor Clay moved, seconded by Witherspoon, that the minutes of »ecembsr 15, 1975 be approved as corrected. The motion passed on a unanimous vote. 5 7 9 1/19/76 MINUTES OF JANUARY 5, 1976 MOTION: Councilman 8erwald coved, seconded by Witherspoon, that the minutes 6f January 5, 1976 be approved as submitted. The motion passed on a unanimous vote. CONSENT CALENDAR - ACTION ITEMS t f Mayor Norton said there were twat' action items: the Garden Terrace Annex- ation No. 5 - Monroe Park Area; and the Stop Sign System Evaluation Study Approval of Consultant's Contract. Councilman Eysrly requested that Item #2 be removed. Mr. Sipel reported that the Stop Sign System Evaluation item would appear at 7a. The following item vas left for voting on the Consent Calendar: GARDEN TERRACE ANNEXATION NO. Staff recommends approval for first reading of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO APPROVING THE ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN UNINHABITED TERRITORY DESIGNATED AS GARDEN TERRACE NO. 5 MOTION: Councilman Eervald moved, seconded by 8eahra, that the consent calendar be approved. The motion passed on a unanimous vote. Ct2IiSEN`I CALENDAR - RED. ITS._ Mayor Norton asked if Council were ready to vote OD the Consent Calendar Rafarral Items. Since there were no requests for removal, the following item was ].eft for voting on the Comsat Calendar: 1976-d1 CAPITAL EMPROVNMENTS COMM :st.. (011:1O3:6) MOTION: Councilman Dermal° moved, seconded by Morton, that this item be referred to:he Finance i Public Works Committee. Ibe referral motion pa sssd on a unanimous rots. PUBLIC 1976-77 COMMUNITY BLOCK MOTION: Councilman Bervsld, Chairmen of the Finance and Public *irks Committee, moved in behalf of the C+ommietaraa, Council approval of the staff recommendations, with the additional qualification that all optima for discretionary USG of any portion of tiw* fveda b* coatis is sa *yes state, and adoption of the follow- ing reeelution: 5$® 1/19/76 RESOLUTION NO. 3190 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO ADOPTING A 1976-77 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PROGRAM, APPROVING A 1976-77 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN, APPROVING THE USE OF 1976-77 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN ADMINISTRATION AGRREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA" Mayor Norton said the Committee recommendation and resolution were before the Council, and that this was the time and place when and where any and all interested persons may be heard on the issue of 1967-77 Community Block Grant Funding for the City of Palo Alto and the related matter of au admin- istration agreement with the County of Santa Clara, and he declared the public hearing open. Mr. Dan Williams, 2450 West Bayshores President, Mid --Peninsula Citizens for Fair dousing, reported that MCFR strongly supports the Finence and Public Works Committee's recommendation for continued use of FCDA Community Develop- ment funds for housing rehabilitation. He said his group to pleased with the progress currently being made with the rehabilitation program and wishes to command the staff for its efforts. MCFH urges the Council to approve the Committee's recommendation. Mr, David Ieang, 4056 Park Boulevard, also recommended that Council pass the resolution. Mayor Nortor. requested that the record note that the City Clerk has filed an affidavit: of publication of notice of this hearing and that various communications from the public, the staff, and the Finance and Public Works Committee have been received and filed, The Council hAa received the minutes of the Finance and Public Works Committee aAd will now hear a report from Counciiraan Berwaid on the Committee recommendation. Councilman Berwaid said that the minutes of January 6, 1976 meeting of the Finance and Public Works Committee cover verbatim the discussion on the program. The recoi mendatiou of the Committee was unanimous. There were many pages of public testimony at this meeting, and Councilman Berwald reported that it was his feeling, as .:hairs ae of the Committee, that all of the pertinent aspects of the subject were covered. He said there was significant community consensus with the decision that was reached by the Committee. Mayor Norton thanked Ccfuneilman Berwaid and asked it be noted in the record that Council has the copy of the notice of this hearing in the file; a copy of the Staf i Report dated December 31, 19.15; a copy of a letter dated January 12, 1976 signed by persons who are members of the Grant Avenue Condominium Owner's Associ- ation; a letter from Palo Alto Housing Corporation dated January 14, 1976; and a Staff Report dated January 15, 1976. Kenneth R. Schreiber, Assistant Director of Planning, noted, as already set forth by Couaciiman Bereald, that the January 6 Finance and Public Works Committee minutes contain a detailed discussion of this utter. He said that stuff was available this evening to Answer any sluestions Council or members of the public might have on this matter. He called attention to staff's time schedule, indicat- ing that the Federal Goverment, in setting up their time schedule, has indicated that Palo Alto's application, as well as those of other local agencies, should be submitted tc the Regional Planning Agency - AUG - by the first of February, thus time is of the essence. There being no further co ant, Maayor Nortow declared the Public Rearing cloased. Fe said the motion to adopt the committees recommendation and the resolution is before Council. 581 1119/76 Councilwoman Witherspoon asked Councilman Berwald, with respect to the subject of $14,000 which the City would get from Santa Clara County fdr use in Barron Park, if any residents of that area were present at the Committee meeting to express concern or opinion on how that sum was to be spent in their area. Councilman Berwald responded that there were some residents present, and that there had been no adverse comments about the proposed use of the money. Councilwoman -Witherspoon said she understood that the money is to be spent this year on bicycle pate in Bol Park. Councilman Berwald indicated that was correct, referring to page 11 of the minutes of the January 6 nesting. Councilwoman Witherspoon asked staff the location of the bicycle paths and what they would be paved with to cost $14,000. Mr. Schreiber said a proposal has been in the process of development for the last year and a half. It has been handled by the district that has the responsibility for creating and maintaining Bol Park prior to annexation, He said that the proposal is to use .approximately a one -mile length of abandoned Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way, which would connect up with bicycle facilities in Los Altos and also connect up with facilities in Industrial ?ark. While the total cost of the facilities has not been determined, Mr, Schreiber estimated it would certainly be beyond the Community Development funding that has been available. Staff is currently working on refining the proposal and also finding soma alternate means of financing of that project. Community Development funds would be used for the portion of the bicycle path which is adjacent to the park, but it is also a larger 1.t:.; ject which involves several bridges over creeks, drainage ditches, etc., not Large creeks such as San Fr.ncisquito, but small 6 -ft, type creeks. Thus, he said it was probably closer to a long, linear park with a bicycle path through it, which will be an additon to the B.ry1. Park area. Councilwoman Witherspoon said she understands this, but asked if the $14,000 were going for land acquisition. Mr. Schreiber said it would go for development of the site, adding there was ground to be moved, Landscaping to be done, as well as installation of the path itself, which would be approximately one -mile long. There would, he said, be considerable expense involved in that type of project, given the length of the project. Councilwoman Witherspoon commented that it seemed to her that for that amount of honey, Herron Park residents sight have other priorities; however, she said that if the people of that community are happy with the projected use of the funds, she is satisfied. Councilsaar. Dertrseid, in response to Councilwoman Witherspoon's question, pointed out that he bad ands his report as Chairman of the Committee and he had stated it accurately. He said, however, that es a Councilman, he would refer to page 15 of the Committee minutes as& his comments about this sorsey. H* finds himself somewhat . bittersweet about this prograa. If. said he is unenthusiastic about a city as affluent as Palo Alto is, hosing to accept those fund*, especially when the objectives of the fund aro interpreted as broadly as they have been. On the other hand, these funds do baip a city to become a hotter community, and are certainly ligitiaate funds. Ha repeated his concern about an affluent community such as Palo Alto having to use Federal funds, which residents of the area send to the Federal government and which ere then sent back to WV Se said h• would probably like to see such funds go to a more needy community. La sum, he felt that the amiss are for beneficial purposes, and for thet reason he voted for thee, yet wished to state his reservations. S 8 2 1/19/76 Councilman Beahrs said he, too, was not exactly happy about reviewing funds from these Federal programs which basically may be considered underlying to the inflationary problem, the defi^i` problem, etc. He said we insist on spending more money than our political friends in Washington have the moral courage to tax, Governments have been doing that for forty'years, and if they had the courage to tax people for the money they spend, on a deficit basis, there would be a change in regime back there, for sure. He said that he feels that the public ultimately must coma to the realisation of this problem and act accordingly. He said that he was not speaking as a candidate for any office; but that he was discouraged often to hear Palo Alto alluded to as an affluent community, because there ere thousands of people in thia town who really cannot afford to live here. He felt that some of the City's policies contribute to that difficulty, and only because there are these thousands who need assistance is he willing to take back some of the money taxpayers have eoutributed to the Federal government, realising that we are lucky if we are getting back 40e on the dollar. The recommendation end resolution were paesed on a unanimous vote. COAiPSI+ISAT10N PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT CCla ni + TAL, Al} CAS-UAL/SPECIAL EMPLOYEES Mayor Norton said that Item 47 consisted of four measures, one ordinance and • three resolutions, all affecting Compensation Plans for Management, Confiden- tial, and Casual/Special Employees. The Mayor rusted that in the informational packet for this evening, there was a correction which reads as follows: "Hue to a clerical error, one of the range adjustments discussed in Executive Session was not picked up on the Management Compensation Plan table distributed in the packet material for this item. the attached table includes the corrected amount for Class No. 165, Manager/Customer Services/City Treasurer, This correction no impact on the amount required to finance the Compensation Plans changes - $52,11 ." Councilman Sher questioned the source of funds. He said the source indicated $52,112 from the unappropriated balance of the Capital improvements Fund. He said that they all knew that fund was rapidly diminishing, and he wanted to know if it was possible to make a commitment to restore the Capital tmprovemehts Fund in the nett budget year. He was aware that that would make the spread even harder to close between expeecditurea and revenues, but felt that ought to be Council's goal. Mr. Sipe' said the problem with this was that it will not be known, until the books are closed at the end of the year, how much coney will be going into the Capital Improvements Fund from sales tax, and that essentially is what they are talking about. He added that there are three or;four variables they wouldn't know about until the end of the ,year. , i.e. utility income, expenditures, gales tax revenues and that all of_ these considerations will affect the amount going into the Capital ImprovementsFund.- Staff's -estimate, at this point, is $250,000. He -suggested Council might want to say that their objective is to maintain at least $250,000 or to replace that next year. Councilman Sher asked if the $250,000 was the figure at the beginning of the yea, He was assessing it waa zero. Hr. Sipe' said changes were made at the time the budget was -adopted which increased that figure up to over $300,000. He said they had drawn down on that mosevhat, for several of the progra a which they have implemented this year that did not have funding. 5 8 3 1/19/76 Councilman Sher recalled that recently there had been a transfer from the Capital Improvements Fund, and Council did make some kind of provision for budgeting it, for salary or other areas. He said that, at that time, this point was not made about the possibility that there would be money going in. Mr. Sipe' thought that it was for the Fire Department salary settlement. He added there was et least one other one, or a number of other ones that had to do with capital improvements, but they took it out of the unappropriated balance of the Capital Improvements Fund. Councilman Sher said he would like to see Council set, as a goal of the budget procoss, that the city try to preserve the increase in the Capital Improvements Fund in order to pay for the capital improvements projects, and to preserve the balance that the staff, in the Capital Improvements Report Council received, had said should be maintained in the Capital Improvements Fund. Councilman Sher said be did not know whether that should be pert of a motion but said it mould be his desire to deal with these budget increases for salaries duriag the course of the budget year, transferring funds from Capital Improvements an4 trying to restore the balance to Capital Improvements at next budget time. Mx. Sigel said his staff will make every effort to do as Councilman Sher stated. MOTION: Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Norton, adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. 2900 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL TEAR 1975-76 TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR CHANGES IN THE MANAGEMMNT AND COUNCIL APPOINTEE, CONFIDENTIAL, AND CASUAL/SPECIAL PERSONNEL COMPENSATION PLANS:" Councilman Beahrs said he had earlier made some cement about the Federal government, and he thought ra10 Alto is moving ie;to a deficit financing situation. Ha sari there was one =wart and that was to Jack up the taxes and make the people like it, if you can. Councilman Berueld had a question of procedure, asking if this was the final action this evening on the compensation plan itself, the document entitled `:City of Palo Alta Compensation Plans for Management, Confidential, and Casual/ Special Employees" etc. Mr. Sipeel said that the budget ordineancn take one reading, requires six vctes e and the resolestions require one reading, so tonight's' action would be the final. action. Councilman berwaid indicated be was somewhat guarded in hie comments because of certain Items in the compensation plan that will poesibiy,bs, or have been, subject to Executive Session. He said that at least one of the provisions in the compen- sation plan is ono that is of concern to his, and is cne that dose not take affect until later in tha year. He eexpresmed reluctance to vote for the entire plan as long see there is at least one item in the plan which is of concern to him. He asked if this might be deferred until a second reading of the ordinance. He said he did not wit to violate the executive privilege, but he wanted to point out that there were severe' items under consideration that seem to be locked into a situstiaa► that perhaps slight accrue to the benefit of the City, the employees and management. Mayor Morton asked Councilman berwatd if the documents before Council fail to reflect the understandings that worn reached in Executive Session on this subject. Councilman Berwald responded that he would not know if there were inaccuracies until Council had a brief discussion in Executive Session. 594 1/19/74 RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Norton called for a brief adjournment to allow Council to go into Exec- utive Session. Council recessed for two minute®. Following the recess, Mayor Norton called for a vote on the ordinance before the Council. The ordinance was adopted on a unanimous vote. MOTION: Councilman Beahra, introduced the following resolutions and moved, aeconded by Sher, their adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 5191 entitled "RESOLUTION Cis TEE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO ADOPTING AN AMENDED COMPENSATION PLAN PC . MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND COUNCIL. APPOINTEES (EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 21, 1975) AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NOS. 5132, 5113, 4957, AND 4814 AS TO MANAGE- MENT PERSONNEL AND COUNCIL APPOINTEES" RESOLUTION NO. 5192 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF ;.HE CITY OF PALO ALTO ADOPTING AN AMENDED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR CONFIDENTIAL PERSONNEL (EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 21, 19 75) AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NOS. 5113, 4957, AND 4814 AS TO CONFIDENTIAL PERSONNEL" RESOLUTION NO. 5193 entitled *RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO ADOPTING A:1 AMENDED COhPENSATION PLAN FOR CASUAL/SPECIAL PERSONNEL (EFFECTIVE DECEMEER 21, 1975) AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NOS. 5151, 5107, 4958, AND 4813 AS TO CASUAL/ SPECIAL PERSONNEL" The resolutions were adopted on a unanimous vote. STOP SIGN SYSTEM EVALUATION STUDY (x:117 : u) Councilman Eyerly observed that, according to the Staff Report, Palo Alto had a grant of $25,000 to start with, and Council had agreed upon a study of $15,500 with a resultant savings of $9,500. Councilman Eyerly said he had asked this be removed from the consent calendar because of his understanding that, within the scope of the stop -and -go system evaluation study, Council would also be in- vestigating through routes for bicycles and, in looking over the scope of services prepared by Ted Noguchi, along with the consultant's report, he saw nothing re- garding bicycle studies for through routes. He asked Mr. Hog,,achi if anything would be done and, if not, should the $9,500 be returned without making use of it, if that was within the context of the Federal grant. Ted T. Noguchi, Director of Transportation, responded that on page three of the consultant's proposal, item four talks about evaluating options and right-of-vsy control. The problem of being overly specific about verioues options mentioned, including four-way stops, was that there might be other options which should be considered, not necessarily in depth but at least reviewed with the stop sign system to determine alternatives available. Insofar as a detailed study of bicycle boulevard or throughway concept, he said this was also being looked at to the Comprehensive Plan. He added that, indeed, it had been discussed as one of the key iteme of the bikeways system in the Comprehensive Plan. He said they have a tecbnics1 advisory committee and he feels confident that between committee and staff, ti*M bicycle throughway problem can be dealt with effectively. It will, however, be considered and contained as input into the particular study„ because it will affect it. 5 8 5 1/19/76 Councilman Eyerly asked how much money in staff time will be spent if staff does the study for the Comprehensive Plan, and is there opportunity to have that study paid for from funds in this grant. M. Noguchi said the State Office of Traffic Safety clearly defines this effort es being for a atop sign evaluation and options to such a system. It would not necessarily include a detailed study of the bicycle throughway concept. In that sense the $9,500 would have to be returned to the State for reallocation to other cities. Councilman Eyerly said it wren his underetartding, from Mr. Noguchi's remarks, that there is a small basis for the staff to work with and going further than that; within the context of the grant, is not permissable. MOTION: Councilman Eyerly moved, seconded by Witherspoon the approval of the agreement for consulting services for the Stop Sign System evaluation program: AGREEMENT - CONSULTING SERVICES - STOP SIGN SYSTEM EVALUATION PROGRAM The motion was adopted on the following vote: AYES: Beahrs, Carey, Clay, Eyerly, Norton Sher, Witherspoon NOES: Berwald PALO ALTO AIRPORT (CMR:128:6) Mayor Norton opened the discussion oz the matter of the Palo Alto Airport, calling upon Mr. Milt Johnsen, who had indicated a deeiir a to speak to the teeue. Mr. Milton Johnson, in businsse at 2417 Embarcadero Way, stated it might now be appropriate for staff tc report. Re said he and other speakara to this issue in attendance this' evening wanted to make sure they were on the agenda to speak following reports from the staff and County. He said that as users and as people in business at the airport also had a viewpoint. He said that some of their questions could well be cleared up by staff and by the County, prior to the group's presentation. James Hudak, Manager of Capital Projects, said that as the staff report points out, there were three major issues which Ms. Harriet Mundy raised at last week's meeting, and he hoped they had been answered in the report to everyone's satisfaction. He said staff had, in addition, talked to they County Itapart*ent of Transportation, and that Mr, Lon Hodge from the County's Right-of-Wayr Division was in attendance tonight. He said Mr. Hodge handled the permit with the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers tros the County's viewpoint and woixld b. able to supplement sorts information compiled by staff. Mr. Dot Hodge, Manager �f the Real Estate Division, County Transportation Agency, reported that the epp'Ac4 tioo vas submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers without prior notification to the City of Palo Alto. He apologised for this oversight. He said, however, that it was submitted to th. Corps because in June, 1975, TM Aviation had &matted plans for Council approval, The plans were approved subject to Corps ofEngineers' approval. County was put on notice et that time that the Corps claimed jurisdiction in the area, and what the County did then was to file application for a permit covering two leasehold developments, FM and One other that was pending, together with ieprovments envisioned by the County in the next five-year planning program. These improve- ments consisted- of paving and widening the taxiway to its full width and install- ing tiedowns in eccordencs with the Master Plan. The County fully recognises it will be necessary to secure spprovat of the plan fro the City of Palo Alto before constrotion, prior to proceeding with such construction. 566 1/19/76 Councilman Sher observed that according to the report, the F&M building had already been approved. He asked Mr. Hodge if the County would have to come back to Council for that. Mr. Hodge responded negatively, saying they did not have to come back for approval of the fixed base operator type - that Council had approved the F&M building, it had approved the other, but they would have to come back for approval of County construction of the paving, of the taxiway, and the ramp area. Councilman Sher asked if that was referred to in the staff report as Parcel C. Mr. !lodge responded that it was. Councilman Sher said that as far as F&M and Parcel A, the future site of a fixed baaa operator were concerned, that was approved apparently a long time ago. Ha asked if that was right, indicating the identity of the operator is not shown in the report. He asked if that was prepared to go forward immediately, Mr. Hodge said the County did not know right now, but they understand that the applicants could be coming in for approval of building plans, He added that they had thought many times that development was going to proceed, so that he was hesitant to say that it will proceed on any site at any time. Councilman Sher inquired if it was so, that no paving would be done, at that site until approval of a plan, and if that person is ready to go ahead in a short period of time. Mr. Hodge said that that is the intent; any paving on Sites A & a3, the lease- hold sites, will be done by private development after issuance of a building permit. Councilman Sher assumed the County would not be doing that on its own., and Mr. Hodge coni irmed the County would not be doing that on its own. Councilman Sher asked if paving would only he done in conjunction with the fixed base operator's own plans to construct the building and adjacent facilities. Mr: lodge responded that was correct. Councilman Sher asked if it was correct that the County was simply applying for this permit to make it possible to go forward, that the County had someone in the wings for Parcel A but had not identified them, and that Council had not actually seen the plans. Mr. Hodge said Council had seen the plans. Councilman Sher inquired if Council had both seen plans and knew who the person was, Mr. Hodge said Council had approved leasehold plans with a Dr. Ratner, and he could not recall under what corporate name Dr, Ratner is operating. Subsequently, he assigned hia interests or partially assigned his interests to to corporation Mr. Hodge believed was known as "The Spirit of Palo Alto." Councilman S1.er said that this was approved in 1973 before he was on the Council and he wanted to know if that kind of approval lasts indefinitely. Mr. Hodge said that If the development proceeds in accordance with those plans, it was his belief that Council approval still stands. He added, however, that thin dose not swan the developer can *void securing a building permit, and that a building permit will die with time; Mr. Hodge stated he did not know if the developer had ever secured a building permit. 5 $ 7 1/19/76 Councilman Sher said that that was not the approval that was obtained, that it was an approval that was required under the lease for any architectural approval, and that had been done. He said, however, that the first question Ms. Mundy had raised and which he'was pursuing here was the question of whether there would be any paving before there was any building, and that Mr. Hodge's answer had been "no" - that that will occur at the same time and it would be done by the operator himself in conjunction with the construc- tion of the building. Mr. Hodge said that was correct. Councilman Sher said the second question Ma. Mundy rained was not specifically answered in the staff report, although there was mention of inquiry about how the development relates to the possibility of a second runway. He said that in making her remarks to the Council, Me. Mundy suggested, referring to comments that were made before BCDC, that the first runway, with a certain number of planes, was reaching capacity. Councilmen Sher questioned whether these new facilities will serve new and additional planes that will require a second runway so that these buildings will not be usable without that second runway. He thought Ma. Mux+.dy'a concern was that they shouldn't be built if these buildings are for planes that will require a second runway, unless the County intended and had available finds to go forward with the second runway. Mr. Hodge said he could respond partially to Councilman Sher's question, defer- ring pert of the answer to Hr. Jim Hunter, Deputy Director of the department in charge of aviation. He said as to the County's spending money on the air- port for development, the lease obligated the County to proceed with development, in accordance with an approved master plan, as money is available and as the need la there. He said that if they did not have the money, they were not going to do it, Councilman Sher said that was his question. Does the County have the money so that if there really is a connection between these proposed facilities, and there lb a need to have a second runway in order to handle the additional planes for which these facilities are designed, the runway can be built. This certainly will increase the treffie there. He shares Ms. Milady's concern about going forward, building buildings wbiee will attract more planes and where there will be a need for a second runway if, in fact, the County does not have the fund; available and has no intention of building a second runway. It would seen to him that there is something antes in going forward and building the facilities that require a second runway. Mr. Hodge said that it is difficult for his to speak for the Board of Supervisors on money. Be said that at this time, the County, like the City, has a short money supply. However, he said the Board has supported airports in the past and he believed it *el* to state that if the need is present, it will support them in the future. M to the impact of development on runways, he said he would defer to Mr. Bunter. Mr. Jim Hunter said he heed brought with him some eta►tfsticsl information back to about 1971 relating to existing runways. He said that in 1971, the operetions on tbs airport were approximately 193,000; in 1972, 186,000; in 1073, 192,040; in 1974, 190,000; in 1975, 1996,000. From his experience and observations, operations at the airport ere related to the economy of the country; when there is more money available, there is more flying. If fuel doesn't get too high, it Should stcy at the present level. In his opinion, building theses new f acilitise will not necessarily create an immediate demand for the second runway. In fact, he said just to confirm his understanding, he had talked to the Federal people today, and they said the existing runway woUld accomadate approximately 250,000 operations per year. He said that as Mr. Hodge bed sesntioned, if the demand or the nerd was there, then they would have to go to their Hoard and ask for funding. 588 1119/76 Councilman Sher said Mr. Hunter's information was helpful. He asked if the existing fixed operator facilities at the airport would handle 250,000 operations. Mr. Hunter asked x€ he were talking just about the runway. Councilman Sher said he was trying to relate these facilities, and the kind of business they need to keep going so that they are not standing empty, to the number of operations in County terms; and to himself the need for the second runway, He said that what Ke. Mundy was concerned acont was construc- tion of facilities and paving over an area, out in the baylands if, in fact, it won't be possible to handle the traffic or if facilities are going to stand empty because there isn't a second runway that would be needed if they were full and operating. He said that he would hope that the Corps of Engineers and the County would share his concern about not paving over irreversibly an area if it can't handle the traffic: that would be related to existing facilities. He said perhaps Mr. Hunter was telling him the second runway was not related at all to the existence of the new facilities and that it would be somewhat shared among the operators out there and that they would all be hungry if there weren't a second runway. Mr. Hunter said that the aircraft that A and B will accomodate is not a signif- icant nvmber, and that they are at capacity on their existing tiedowns in the existing fields and the County --operated hangars, so that they do not even have space for another 100 aircraft at the present time. He said they were not going to do any paving of A fi 15 until private capital is ready to go ahead and they would not do any paving on the second runway until funding is available and there is a demand. Councilman Sher said that he understood the first part of W. Hunter's last statement, that they would not go ahead until private capital was ready, and Councilman Sher said he supposed that they make an appraisal about whether there are planes that peed those accommodations and that he thought Mr. Hunter had told hira they would not accom:;odate a lot of planes, even those they would accommodate, if they fly the average number of flights which existing planes do, presumably the present single runway could handle all of those flights. Mr. Hunter said that was right that it would be near capacity. Councilman Sher said that if they went stead with Parcel C and had more tiethwns to handle more planes, and assuming those additional planes would fly an average u.aber of flights, they would be over capacity; and then one would really be talking about a second runway. Mr. Rueter agreed, saying then the demand would be there. Councilman Sher said that in view of this, his conclusion would be, at least with respect to Parcel C, that Council exercise care that work doesn't go forward until they know that the County will provide funding to build the second runway, There is no point in paving it over if they are going to have more planes, or capacity for more. Mr. Hunter pointed out that is bsaicslly a widening of an existing taxiway to the outside of that circular area in Parcel C. Part of that widening is for proper ingress and egress to the field sites - all three of them. The other portion noted on the drawing is merely for transient aircraft. He said one of the problems now is that on active weekends when more planes come in, they cannot be parked on the pavement but have to be put on the dirt. He said that aircraft are often very expensive, and when the propellors get nicked, the owners do not think kindly of the Palo Alto Airport. 5 8 9 1/19/76 Councilman Sher asked if the tiedown areas, then, were for transient planes and not for planes teased at Palo Alto. Mr. Hunter said at this time, mainly for transients. Mr. Hodge said that at ReidHillview, with operaticn.c currently running over the past five years from 300,000 to 320,000 per year, they have about 1920 acres under full leasehold development. He said full leasehold development of this site in Palo Alto is 6 acres plus some storage hangars. Fe said there is room for a lot more leasehold development and success in that develop- mut . Councilman Sher asked how many runways there were at Reid-Hillview. Mr. Hodge said there are two runways but there were about 13 acres developed at Reid before the second one arrived. Councilman Baehr° said that he recalls that the laat request on this program for approval of the major hangar which was to be dissembled and brought there. He said M. Mundy did observe that some of those frames have sat around for quite some time. He said that, as he recalled, the larger structure was in lieu of several smaller hangars, and he wondered where we stand on this and how it relates to all the paving, for example. Mr. Milt Johnson, offices at 2424 Embarcade*o Way, said that his interest is not only as an architect, but also as a partner in F&H Aviation and c_ pilot user of the Palo Alto Ai -:port for nearly 13 years. He said, in answer to Councilman Beahr's question, that they cannot very well go ahead and plan a structure with- out the approval of the Corps of Engineers= He said that he and Mr. 'ian'k Duncan of the County Real Estate Department went to the Corps of Engineers after having appeared at the City Council meeting, and the question vas reload. He said this should not be a surprise to anybody. He said they did their homework; the Corps told them what had to be done; the County did it and made the application: He reminded Council Mr. Hodge apologised for not having sent a copy to the City, but said somebody on the City staff was aware that this was being done. He said that until the Corps approves the application, they cannot get a bank or financing organisation to give them a loan that can be recorded; until they have a loan recorded, they cannot put up a building or obtain a building permit. Re said that building frames have not bean out there six months, as represented, but more like four" -and -a -half months since dismantling of the building in Los Gatos did not commence until mid July. Councilman kahras said that this confusion really relates then to the earlier hearing where Council did approve the installation of this structure. He said he did not see that there was any problem Mr. Joh sou said that they did not intend to do any other improvements other than to bring the hangar down with the anticipation that the Corps was going to takes one or two actions: they could either take s formal action which would take, they said, six months to two years. Re said it ay take longer then that if objection, are reined before the 22nd. It would leave the entire project deed, and he could not say what they would do with the structure then. Re said, however, that thee. are the risks that all in business run today and e felt thry could not be blamed for trying on the ens hand to do it right and then on the neat hand be told they did not do in right or 'in the correct order/ pros e*. He said that this is where they are at the sent. He said he thought there had been a comeunicetions problem between the City, the County, and in- terested partise at the airport. He said he would be willing to sit down with repreeenestivas from County and City to try to clear misunderstandings and reeoive problems before they become disputes. Mt. Joiuson pointed out that aircraft at the Palo Alto Airport number around 00. There are pr.ee.tiy available five additional tiedowna. Be said esch aeasoa the umber fluctuate* but that they eeldom have more then 11 available. 590 1/19/75 Users are constantly vying to get better tiedowns so they don't have to taxi so far, etc. The aircraft numbers won't change substantially with the F&M field operation, He said they wil]. add 47 areas where they can tie down 27 planes outside and 20 inside the hangar. Their reason for wanting to put up the big hanger is to offer something to the large, expensive, twin-- crgined operator,who has expensive avionics lea his airplane he doesn't want to lose. The Palo Alto Airport, he added is not a very secure place to store an airplane. He said he was talking about aircraft that coet $65,000 and often have another $60,000 worth of navigational and radio equipment on board. He suggested there are problems for aircraft arriving at midnight when the tower is closed and the County staff have already gone home. He termed the atmosphere at the airport at that house "spooky" and this is why They feel there are many people who want to move into the hangar. He hopes that lights will be inatslled at Palo Alta Airport, and believes the Police Department would support him in that view. Mr. Johnson said that Palo Alto Airport appeals to people who want to learn how to fly, to people who fly for recreation, and people who fly strictly for business operations. He said that 95X of his own flights are business -oriented, and that, as an architect, he has much work throughout the State; thug it is important for him to have the airport facility. He estimated that on a good VRF' day, there are probably only about 2% of the total home -based airplanes in the air at any one time, perhaps 40 to 70 aircraft. He said when talking about the number of operations, one has to look at the fact that they do not have the same number all week; it us=ually drops off drastically Monday through Friday, but a good day brings out fliers to practice their touch-and-go's, do their student air work, etc. He seid the number of tiedowns should be increased. There are many transient planes coming in for special events such as the big Game, and for business, etc., and often the five or six tiedowns at the terminal are full. He said the taxiways are not wide enough. He also said there are times he cannot get out of certain areas of the airport without being extra careful in how he taxis, for fear he will nick his propellor, which costs $1,000. He said Palo Alto Airport's importance to the business community should not be minimised. Be felt Palo Alto should look forward to facilitate the master plan. He said it is amazing that in 1974 there were 196,000 operations. He described an operation as being a landing and a take -off or vice -versa. He cited San Jose Airport, saying that in 1974, it was the tenth largest in the nation with 430,000 operations; Palo Alto is up to 45% of that now. But, that does not mean Palo Alto needs a second runway, even though there may be times when the tower would like to see one to facilitate traffic when there are large numbers of students. Hr, Johnson thought a second parallel runway would relieve congestion for the students, but that it was not necessary for the businessman. He said the businessman would prefer to see a longer runway; 3500 feet would be idealand much safer for twin--engined operations. He said he was not talking about jets and recalled that the only jet ever in Palo Alto was a tu::bo-faewhi.ch carried Governor Reagan to Palo Alto on two separate visits. Mr. Johnson said he talked to the pilot on both occasions who told him they had to off-load a great deal of fuel in a very short range, and that they had just had enough to get din from Sacramento and go home again. He said Palo Alto Airport, as it is now, cannot accommodate any high-performance aircraft. He 3aid there was a possible way to lengthen the rummy, but the idea of coming up towards Fmbarcadero Road doesn't make any sense, because its about four or five feet higher and there would be a downhill runway and a greet deal of fill on the existing runway to make it work. Hr. Johnson addressed himself to the question of noise pollution, a natter brought into discussions st the last Council meeting. He said noise pollution can be controlled, that reciprocal engines ors improving constantly, and Y'PA and FAA are working on it. With affective training, pilot education, awareness and cooperation of pilots and the tower operators this problem could be minimized, He said pilots do think about noise control - in take -offs 591 1/19/76 when they back off on their power settings, and reduce the pitch on their propellors to lessen noise after they have passed 500 feet. They consciously try to be quiet in their departures to the southwest, going over East Palo Alto and Palo Alto. The tower controllers make effort to keep pilots high on downwind legs over Bayshore so that they don't get below 1,000 feet. He said continued cooperative attitudes of this kind reduce complaints from the neighbors and fewer have been reported at Palo Alto Airport. As far as air pollution, he thought that to be "red herring," reporting aircraft engines are the most efficient gas -powered engines in existence. They are almost 85% efficient and any pollution from them is practically immeasurable. He suggeeted any air pollution specialist would verify that fact. He said planes do not cause as much pollution as an automobile or truck. Insofar as adverse effects on wildlife, he expressed amesemeet, after 13 years, over the abundance of varietiea of wildlife in the airport area. He mentioned new inhabitants perhaps even the Audubon people are not aware of. He said there are three little marsh owls on their parcel, and assured Council that before they do any construction, they would have natural- ists move the owls to a new home. He said he could identify almost 96 species of birds on the Peninsula and has a concern about wildlife. He said there was no trouble with birds in flight at the airport. County personnel are good about clearing the runway of guinea or mud hens. When there are large flocks of seagulls swarming over the dump, the controllers always warn pilots. Birds do get out of the way, knowing how to deal with aamething else in flight. So he saw no necessary mitigating measures nor environmental impact to wildlife, or humans, at the airport. He said the eirport was ideally located. In closing, Mr. Johnson said, he felt it unfortunate that so much misinformation could be amassed and presented by one person. He expreseed a wish to have met the lady ahead of time, paying his first knowledge of the controversy was when he read the Palo Alto Tina, of this date, He said charges of secrecy were unfounded and regretted such information was published before somebody had done :heir homework. He said no one has attempted to reach any of those involved at the airport to discuss these matters, but he hopes to see the arbitrary fence dropped now. He said they are open and above -board, and that they would be delighted to take people out to the airport and chow them chat general aviation is all about. He said he woul.d be glad to volunteer to take anybody for a ride. So would Mr. McCoy, who is properly certificated and insured to do *o. Mr. Johnson concluded that'at no time have they bean informed by the City staff, the Planning Commission, or anyone else, about the baylands studies, although it seas been represented that they had been informed. Re said Mr. Don L. Myers, who has been at the airport a lot longer than himself, was here tonight. He said Prod McCoy has been at the airport for a number of years. He said they have chucked, and these communications have never existed. Be said they do not want to be left out. He regretted belaboring all of these points this evening but stressed the importance of the Palo Alto Airport to themselves and to the total community. Ha asked for rapport and establishment of communications to promote undeerstandin$ of efforts being made at the Palo Alto Airport. Hs indicated willengaess to work with City staff, naturalists, etaviron eetaliaats, the Audubon Society, and anybody else, for answers and solutioae to all questions, ft, Fred )lcCoy, doing buaiasas at 2411 tabercedero Way, said that all of his thunder had been stolen by Mr, Jo on, Ha se$A that he had returned to California six or seven years ale, that it la his homer and that he had established business in Palo Alto, As a profeseionel aviator and in the aviation business for many years, he cited the opportunity for Palo Altana to present a first-class port to Palo Alto: Na said Palo Alto doss root have that today, yet there are people cuing in to spend a trermradous amount of eoesy Le the city to super-ezpeneivs machines. He said that these people use these please for busiaeas purposes because they cannot conduct their business is say other way, They are $100' to $1,000 an -tour people and that the City should not be looking at this project 592 1/19/76 in any other manner except as to put a fine face nn Palo Alto. It had bees done downtown, it had been voted in there for very good reasons. Some of those reasons, he said had to be economical, and they proposed to do the same thing at the airport. He said they had already covered the pollution and wildlife issues. That is a very shall part, but it is obviously very important in understanding what they are trying to do at the airport. He asked that they be given a hand in making Palo Alto Airport a first-class operation. He said they have financial and timing problems, adding that for one year, the City and airport people had worked together, and neither side delayed. But it had taken one year to get approval, and in ehat time, Their costs had doubled, their first financiers left them, and they alm)st left themselves. He said they are very close to going forward with the project now and want the Council's help: Councilman Carey said he thought it was clear that the permit that has been requested is not for building a second runway but is simply to cover what has already been approved by the City and to which, as far as he could determine, the City is already committed. He said it is also clear that the scope of the proposed development will increase the available tiedowna by perhaps 10% and that the runway capacity is sufficient to handle it. He added that Don dodge sad Jim Hunter were at the greeting this evening and in case they did not know it, Council had discussed the issue of the second runway about a month ago. Councilman Carey had then suggested that the possibility of lengthening the existing runway as an alternative to a :eceni runway was something they ought to look at. • He added that despite wh.-t t ty might have read in the newspapers, you don't get both you get on: or the other. He said he believed this Council is interested in the lengthened runway as an alternative to the second runway. Such does not envision Pan American coring in here on its overseas flights; it's sir•p1y a lengthening of the existing runway to increase safety, particularly with respect to twin -engines. He felt that Council vould like tc gez se response from the County about this possibility. Yayor Norton said he th'5ught thet-e was no action required this evening. Council -4n She/ said there isn't any action required- He said that the staff indicates what it intends to do at the end of the report, including writing a letter to the Corps of Engineers and the County, clarifying the status of each parcel and also asking fot a clear statement about the relationship of these i:aproeementa to a second runway. MOTION: Councilman Sher meved, seconded by Berwal.d, that in the last sentence, the letter should make the point that City Council desires that no additional paving or facilities that contemplate a second runway should be constructed, uuiess it is clear that the County intends to proceed with the second runway and has funds available to do so. Mayor Norton expressed concern about the motion and about Counciluen Comstock's letter of January 14, 1916 to the U..S. Corps of Engtreers, wherein the City asks the Corps to do or not to do something that the City could as well do itself. He found it objectionable to have the City write and tell the Corps haw to do its business, He assumed the Corps would handle matters properly. He said be would not vote in favor of such a motion. Councilman Berxaid reminded Council that he had suggested at the last meeting that it might be well at tonight's meeting to make a peraanent referral on happenings at the airport and baylands to the Finance and Public Works Committee, While he would not cake a motion to that effect, he did feel it important that Council hays some mechanism for continual input on progress at the airport. He expressed pleasure to hear fro the ganti.zen representing airport and aviation interests, adding it had been a long time since Council had heard from them and that tonight's remarks had been informative, useful and timely. 593 1/19/76 1 1 1 Councilwoman Witherspoon voiced concern that Councilman Sher's motion implied Council is in some way encouraging a second runway, when perhaps they want to look at the alternative of a lengthened runway, as mentioned by Councilman Carey. He said that she was inclined to vote against the motion. She agreed with the concept that paving over marshland and moving marsh owls should not proceed when there is no assurance such actions are necessary. Councilman Beahrs disliked dealing in theories and felt that Council should exert itself to keep open all possible options at the airport, since, as they had heard this evening, it was a touch -and --go proposition in more senses than one. He felt the Council would certainly want to preserve the economic viability of the operation and that, if this motion passed, they would be somewhat destruc- tive of that deeire. Councilman Sher felt he had been misunderstood and said he still supported his motion. He said the letter would state that Council is not encouraging the conetruction of a second runway. He reiterated that there ought not to be additional facilities that are proceeding on the assumption that there will be a second runway unless the County has the money and intention to go forward and build it: He felt that vas the point of concern Ms. Mundy had raised and the point that staff, itself,' has said it is going to pursue with respect to these particular projects when it says it is going to ask for clarification of the relationship between these projects and the runway. Councilman Sher said he thought it important to have that general point made, thus his proposed motion. He said he was not encouraging a second runway; Indeed, he felt Council ought to make their position clear that they did not want facilities that contemplate a runway, if there isn't going to be any runway. Councilman Carey wanted to hear from the County and find out more about their long -or medium -range plans for the airport area. It was his Opinion that there isn't that such more land available to fill that would have any significant increase on current usage, and he wanted to have answers to his concerns. The notion failed on the following vote: AYES: Berwald, Sher NOES: Beabre, Carey, Clay, Eyerly, Norton, Witherspoon ABSENT: Comstock A11JouvelT r MOTION: Councilwoman Witherspoon eared, seconded by Norton, that the meeting of January 19, 1976 be adjourned. The motion was approved 'y UngAiNOUS vote. The :matins adjourned at 12:30 sou. ATTEST: APPROVE: 5 9 d 1/19/76