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HomeMy WebLinkAbout040819571 09 City Hall, Palo Alto, California, April 8, 1957. The;C.ouncil of:the City of Palo Alto met in: -regular ses- sion on this date at 7:30 P.M., with Mayor Porter presiding: Roll call as follows: - Present::: Bishop, Byxbee, Corcoran, Cresap, Cummings, Davis, Giffin, Marshall, Mitchell, Navis, Porter, Rodgers, Ruppenthal, Simpson. Absent: Drysdale. The minutes of the meeting of March 25,,`1957, were approved. Hospital Model The Mayor announced that the model of the Palo Alto - Stanford Hospital and Medical'Center has been placed in the lobby of the City Hall and will be on display there all this week. Highway Study A letter was received from the City -County Highway Committee concerning the estirated eoat of the city -county highway study and submitting.a.recommended plan for the financing of the study. A report was submitted by Committee No. 1 recommending that the City endorse the program of financing the highway study as set.forth in the letter from the City -County Highway Committee, and that,tunds be authorized to pay the City's share of the cost. The cost share plan, based on population, provides that Palo Alto's share is` 5.59%. The City Manager advised that other cities in the county 'which have considered the matter have endorsed the program. On motion of=:Bishop and Cresap, the recommendation of Committee No. 1 to approve the financing program for the highwa; study was adopted. The Council was advised that it was`not "necessary to make a specific transfer of funds at this time. Freeway Study A letter was received from G. T. McCoy, State Highway. Engineer, concerning Senate Concurrent Resolution -No. 26 relative to an .overall state-wideplan of freeways and expressways,. and the appointment of a technical advisory committee to assist the Department of Public Works.in`a freeway study, the State request- ing the'support and aid of representatives of city and-c,ounty governments .in this project.: The Mayor announced that City Manager'Keithley'has been appointed a'member iof the technical advisory committee. On motion of litohell and Cummings, the Council expressed willingness to cooperate in -the conduct of the study. Annexation to Mountain -View A not,ice.:from the County Boundary Commission of the pro- posed annexation of territory designated as E1 Camino No. 10A to the City of -Mountain View was accepted and filed. Letters re Capital IMprovement Financing A letter was received from Mr. and Mrs. E.. E. Hoelscher, 2414 Middlefield' Road, stating they feel,all maJor capital improve- ments, such as the proposed underpass, should be bonded 110 A letter waz also received from Mr. James Wagstaff;, 3S56;Ramona Street, concerning the financing of capital improvements and stating his views that large projects should be voted.on by the people and that the Council should be guided by the wishes of the electorate Sout• h Palo Alto Grade Separation Project .The Mayor.. made an. oral report.. at this time on the proposed rade separation program, pointing opt that the Council has, approved the basic design and the location. of the South Palo Alto grade separation if and when it is constructed, and because bnthe'magnitude f the project the Council is asking the people to vote May 14th as to whether they approve the financing of the project out of general unds. The Mayor called attention to revised estimates on the cost f the project which indicate that the maximum net cost to the City ould be approximately $1,600,000. The Mayor announced that Committee No. 1. will hold a ublic meeting next Monday, April 15, 1957, at 7:30 P.M., at which e Leuw, Cather & Company representatives will present their upplementary report with revised estimates and changes in the rade separation plan. Capital Improvement Program The Mayor also announced that Committee No.,3 will hold public meeting on April 29, 1957, at 7:30 P.M. to consider the ecommendations,of the Capital Improvement Committee. Hospital Bids The City Manager reported:to the Council that, on the dvice of the Managers of Construction, the time for receiving ids on the construction of"the Palo. Alto -Stanford Hospital has een extended to May 10,'1957, thus making it zpossible to, award he contracts at the regular Council meeting on May 13, 1957. Project 57.1) Page Mill Road The City Manager.rePorted that there is now no necessity f holding an adjourned Counncil' meeting,on May, 6,'.1957 as previously planned, and recommended that the date of hearing on Project 57-1 for the itprovement of ?ageMill Road,be changed from May 6 to May 13, 1957, and the date for receiving bids on the project be changed from May 3, 1957 to May 9, 1957• On motion of Simpson and C.ummings., the City Clerk was uthorized to_change:the proceedings:on their face to provide.:'for he_hearing;to be held on May -13, 1957, at 7:30 P.M., and for bids o be received -on May 9, 1957, at 4:00 P.M. Bowling Green Clubhouse= The City Manager presented a request from the Palo Alto wn Bowling Club for permission to build a small addition to their uilding The proposed addition would:be 8 x 18.6 feet and would e used as dressing room facilities. On motion of .Ruppenthal and Bishop, the request was granted;. Transfer: of Funds A request we-ismadeby the City Manager Zor a transfer of 10,000:00 from the Special' Projects Fund to the Contingent Fund. -- n motion of Mitchell and Navis, this transfer of funds was author= .zed by unanimouti vote on roll call. Rinconada Park Pool HousePlans A report was received from :Committee- No. 1 recommending hat the plans for the dressing rooms at the Rinconada Parkppool, . :as prepared by the architects, Stedman and Williams,,be approved. On motion of Byxbee and Rodgers, the plans were:approved .by 'che Council and It was directed that bids for the construction Abe taken as soon as possible. The City Manager informed the Council that it is the intention to,relocate utility mains in Finconada Parkr:in connection `with the development program for the park. . At this time Councilwoman Corcoran remarked that she had ;seen an item in'the newspaperconcerning the cost ofd.eveloping one of :the neighborhood parks adjacent to a school, and she thought the amount stated in the paper was'a very large amount and asked :for information. The Assistant City Manager reported that he though Mrs. Corcoran was referring`to an article. in the paper regarding the park site -.on Louis, Road and,East Meadow Drive; that it was reported in the paper the cost would be $80,000.00 whereas the correct figure is $40,000.06. •Zone Change Application (Taylor) A report was received.from Committee No. l advising that it has considered the application of Robert H. Taylor for rezoning of property at 716 Colorado -Avenue from R-2 to C-2.,:and:recommends that the Counciluphold therecommendation of the Planning Com- mission for denial of?the application. •:Councilman Byxbe.e, Chair- man of Committee No. 1,reported that the committee felt that the zoning of :the Mid: -town area is adequate at the present time. He ;moved that the applicatioribe, denied, and the motion was seconded 'by Cummings.'' Councilman Rodgers referred to the General.PTan recom- mendations for commercial. zoning in the area and favored the rezon- ing of3the lot in question. Mr. E. V. Arbuckle, a member of the HPlanning Commssion,explained the Commission's views on the matter, advising that they feel the whole area should be considered if there ,is need for expansion in the district, and pointing:out that there Lore other problems in the'same area which is not developed to the fullest at thin time. The motiorito uphold the recommendation of the Planning Commission for denial -of the application was then carried. Ccuncil- man Bishop asked that the record show that he did not vote on the question. (Councilman Drysdale came'at this time, 8;10 P.M., and was present.for the rest of the meeting.) • Agreement with Southern Pacific re Crossing Gates A report was received from Committee No. .l recommending approval and execution of agreement between the Southern Pacific 'Company, the City of Los Altos, City of Mountain View and City of Palo Alto, covering the installation of crossing gates at the San. Antonio Road crossing. It' was reported that the agreement, provides that each of the three cities shall pay 16-2/3% of the cost. The City Manager advised that the city will apply to the Public Utilitie Commission for a refund of 509 of the 'City's share. A resolution approving, the agreement and authorizing .its execution by`the Mayor was introduced, and on motion of Byxbee and 'Navin, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. -Amendments t� Building Code A report was received from Committee No. 1 recommending ,approval of amendments to Chapters 5, 31 and 33 of the Palo Alto .Building Code. The proposed amendments were explained:by the =Building, Inspector; one amendment was the result of the:Council's :request for regulations regarding rear exits from apartments; • another would :provide for waterproof membrane under s.l;ab floors which was included in previous codes for many years but left but of the code Whet revised last year; and the:third-amendment would 112 -change the fire resistance requirements of exterior wa s 1n Fire Zone No. 1. On motion of'Rodgers and Marshall, a proposed ordinance amending the Building Code was accepted for first reading. Design Control - A report was submitted by the Planning Commission recom- mending that the design control.ppplication of William Watkins to build an addition of four units and7a carport at 2825 Alma Street :be approved as':- submitted. On motion of Mitchell and Rodgers, this application was approved. .Lot Division (Wina) A report was received from the Planning Commission recom- mending denial of the lot division application of Charles K. Wing to divide a portion of Lots 7 and 8, Block 134, Mayfair Subdivision.. The Commission advised that the same purpose could be achieved by means of a private easement. On motion of Navis and Byxbee, the recommendation of the Planning Commission for denial of the application was adopted. Lot Division (Devonshire Szndicatej, A report was received from the Planning Commission recom- mending denial of the lot division application of Devonshire Syndicate to divide a'portion of LotHI„ Block 52, University Park. It, was'the feeling of the Commission that. this eras a situation which could be handled by a private easement. On motion of Cummings and Navis, the recommendation_of the: Planning Commission for denial of the application was adopted. Final Map of Tract No. 1921 .'The elanning Commission recommended. approval of the final 'map of -Tract -No. 1921,.portion of. -Lot 98, Wooster Subdivision, located on Louis Road adjacent to Dry Creek, subject to the con struction of a'sii-foot high chain link fence along lot lines facing the Creek.' Resolution No..;2831, approving. the final map of Tract No. 1921, was introduced-; and on motion of Rodgers and Cummings, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. Final Record of Survey A report was received from the Planning Commission recommending acceptance of the final'Record of Survey of portions of Lots '43 and 44, -Wooster Subdivision, located on Middlefield. Road between Dry Creek and St. Claire Drive, subject to granting of easements, payment or segregation of assessments and furnishing evidence of payment of 1956-57 city and coanty.taxes. Action on this matter had -been deferred at the last meeting. On motion of Rodgers and Mitchell, this Record of Survey was approved in accordance with the recommendation of the Planning Commission. Right of Way for Storm Drainage (Subdivision on Creeks) Reference was made to the report received at the last, 'meeting from' the Planning Commission'recommending, in connection with; future subdivisions bordering creeks, that the City require. . dedication for storm drainage,:` purposes of a right -of --way conforming substantially tothe lines" of the natural water course, it being` :understood that additional area for flood control purposes would be acquired through the regular processes. The Planning Officer made a report on a meeting of the city staff with representatives of the Santa Clara County Flood Control District, at which the question was discussed. The follow- ing policy was recommended by the staff; That the City require :dedication in a subdivision, where necessary for storm drainage ;purposes, of a right of way as stated in the subdivision ordinance, . conforming substantially:to the lines of the natural water course; however, in cases where the Santa Clara County rlooa-Control'Distric plans require a widdrright of way, the subdivider will be required ;to reserve 'such additional right of way so that the flood control district may acquire it by'negotiation or condemnation. adopted. Amendment to Setback Map A.report was received from the Planning Commission recommending that the setback map be amended as follows: the setback in the R -3-P zone on"University Avenue to be 24 -.feet, extending,.from a point approximately 150 feet northeasterly to approximately 375 feet southwesterly of Middlefield •Road; in the R zone from a point approximately 125 feet northeasterly to a point approximately. 100 feet:'southwesterly of Webster Street, the setback should' be eliminated -on the -setback map, allowing the setback requirements of the Zoning Ordinance to take effect. An explanation: of the:recommended changes was made by the'P'lanning Officer. On Motion .ofByxbee ' and Ruppenthal, this policy was On motionof'.Mitc-hell and Byxbee, a proposed ordinance amending the Setback Map as recommended, was accepted for first reading. Project 52-13,: Off- Street Parking Resolution No 2832 providing for the issuance of,the first division of, bonds :under Project 52-13, University venue District Off -Street Parking;' was introduced, and on motion of Cummings 'and Bishop, was= adopted by unanimous vote on roli call Resolution No. 2833, calling for bids for the sale of the first division.of bonds, Project 52-13, in the amount of ;$450,000.00, was introduced,'and on motion of Cummings and Bishop, was adopted by unanimous:vote:on roll call. • Zone Change (Evangelista) Ordinance No. 1741, rezoning the Evangelista: property located at thee southeasterly end of Wilkie Way from R -1:A to R -3-G, was given second reading, and on notion of Mitchell and Bishop, was adopted by'unanimous. vote on roll call. Claims for %Wages A report was received from the City Attorney_on claim for damages filed by Anne Mahay-in the sum`of $35,000 for injuries alleged -to have been sustained at the Palo Alto Hospital' when a portion of an X-ray machine dropped on claimant. The City Attorney reported that in his opinion there is no liability on the part of the City and he recommended the claim be denied. On motion of `Byxbee and Nevis, the report was accepted and the claim denied. A report was also received from the City Attorney on the claim filed by Helen Minuis in the sum of $25,000. Mrs. Minnis -:claimed that her child died at birth as a result of the negligence :of employees at the Palo.Alto Hospital. The City Attorney advised :that in his. -opinion there is no liability on the part of the City. It was moved by Mitchell, seconded and carried that the Attorney's report be accepted and the claim be denied. . P • 114 The City Attorney also reported on the claim filed by Mrs. Frances Y. Burt in the sum of $30.79 for damage to her car in ' an accident with a city trench digger, Mrs. Burt claiming that the fender of her car was;;damaged`when she attempted to pass the city vehicle on the railroad right of way. The City, Attorney advised that in his opinion there is no. liability on the part of the. City,-'. and that Mrs. Burt was guilty of contributory negligence. Cxl;motion of Rodgers and Byxbee, the report of the City Attorney was accepted' and the claim was denied. Tax Refund A report was received. from the Controller recommending, approval of refund of the second installment of Tax Bill No. 5476 in the sum of $45.99. It was moved and seconded, and carried by unanimous vote on"roll call, that this tax refund be authorized. Monthiy=.ReRorts The monthly report of the Controller for March, 1957, was received and filed. The monthly report_of the`Planning Officer on action taken in March on applications for redivision of lots, and the monthly report of the Zoning Administrator on actiontaken on applications for variances, and use permits, were received and placed et file. Ballot Measure The Council discussed the..wording of the measure to be` on the May .ballot, as directed by the Councilat the last rneetin.gi regarding the financing of.the South Palo Alto grade separation by general funds as recommended by'the Capital Improvement Committee: On -motion of Davis and Dr3rsda1e, the Council approved the following wording: for: the proposition to be placed on the May 14th ballot: "PROPOSITION RELATIVE TO THE CONSTRUCTION 0: A SOUTH - --PALO ALTO ,GRADE SEPARATION OCT OF GENERAL FUNDS • "INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS- Voters shall indicate their: choice by stamping a cross (Y.; in the square after the word "YES if they desire.to -vote in favor of the prop"osi- tion., or by stamping a cross (X) in the square after the word "NO." if they desire to vot4 against the proposition:-: Do you. favor the construction of a grade YES separation in the South Palo Alto area out of general funds? NO Budget. Information Councilwoman Corcoran asked that, in submitting the 'budget -this year, the staff indicate;` the amount of receipts and the amount of operating and catital expenditures for each category during -the last two years,:so that the Council will have some basis for ,comparison. when it is cons.,idering proposed expenditures for the 'coming year. The -Controller advised that such information could be furnished when thebudget is.presented. There being no further business to come before the C;6unCil, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 P.M. Mayor • • 0