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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06241957City Hall, Palo Alto, California June 24, 1957. The C,ouncil=of the City of:P:alo Alto met in regular:sesslon on --this date at 7-:3'O P.M., with :Dice Mayor Marshall presiding. Roll call as follows: Present: Byxbee; Corcoran,:Cresep, Cummings, Davis, Drys&Ie, Giffin, Marshall, Mitchell, Navis, Rodgers, Ruppen`- t.na'1, gimpson`. " .Absent:', Bishop, Porter. - minutes Of.the meeting of June 10, 1957, were approved. Project 52-13, Off -Street.. Parking; University Ave. District This was . the time and" place for a hearing on proposed.. change§ and modifications in Project, 52--13,, in, accordance with :Resolution 'of Intention No. 2861,, to'provide for the bonds to be issued on: this, project to bear interest at'rate of not to exceed - 6%., It was announced'that a `notice of this hearing has been given as provided by law, and that no written protests have been received,. The hearing was declared -open. There being no One present who wished to speak on the matter, the -"hearing. was closed. Resolution No. 2864, ordering changes and modifications, was'introduced, and on motion of Mitchell and Simpson, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. Councilman Cummings suggested that a provision for callable bonds be included in future'bond sale notices. Rabies Endemic Area The Council received' a. copy of letter -addressed to the Santa Clara County Health>Officer by the State Director af'Pubiic: Health, advising that, inasmuch .as the last case of rabies in Santa Clara County occurred, over' a year ago, the designation of Santa Clara County as a "rabies end0Mic area" . has expired . Attention was called by Councilman Byxbee to the ordinance adopted a year_ ago= requiring. anti -rabies vaccination for all dogs. He asked whether ;Or not such ordinance -should be continued. It was -noted that 'the letterfrom the State Director of Public Health stated that the remova;lof the designation of the. County asHa "rabies endemic area,,. ,does .not Justify any relaxation—, of measures for the -control off rabies and that continued application of vigorous control :meas;ur..es :pis recommended. The City,Manager Was requested to contact the County -Health Officer to ascertain what program he intends to follow in :the future for; the control of' rabies and get his opinion on the continuation of the ordinance 'requiring vaccination of dogs. Bus Transportation (.Increase in Rates) There was presented to the.Council a copy of the applica tion filed by the Peninsula Transit:Lines with the Public Utilities; Commission, asking for authority to increase: bus fares. In answer to a question from'Councilman Byxbee regarding a proposed study of the local bus -transportation problem, the City, -Manager advised that he has contacted -the Stanford School of Buai"ness as requested by Committee No.` -3,, and after due consideration th"ey have informed him,that they would not:be able to conduct such * study at this time. The City Manager advised that he is contacting the School of Traffic and Transportation at the University of California to see if they would be interested in making the study Proposed Budget for -195758 The proposed budget for the fiscal year 195�-1.958'was presented by the City Manager; with a letter of transmittal reiiewin the, major items of estimated` .revenues and expenditures for the vario departments and summarizing the operating and capital programs, with administrative recommendations. The City, Manager advised that the proposed budget,, in its present rorm`, can be. financed with a- General Fund tax::rate of 70:630 -j per $10.0.00 of assessed valuation,. which represents'a reduction of, approximately 40¢x. frotp the 1956 -57: -rate;, and that the :tax rate to service; general obligation bonds is'estimated to be: -9:2.9¢ or an. increase of ;approximately >5:6¢ :over 1956-57. The total city tax rate: would be 79.92¢::a.s compared toa rate of $-1.14 for- 1956-57,.. `;The City Manager pointed . out that" the Council has the; right' to make 'any amendments it wishes to the budget, but he asked -that if the Council makes any sizable changes, it also make the necessary- change iin,the tax rate in order -to balance the income with the expenditures The., City Manager called attention to administrative orob- lems in enforcing the ordinance requiring non-residents to pay a fee for use of the refuse dispostal area, and recommended in the budget - !tra.nsmittal letter that the; C:ounc.i,'. give consideration to a possible rvision of the basic policy_ and require all users to pay a. nomina=l :fee for use of" the public dump Attention was called by the City Manager to, an error dis-- covered on Page- 13 of the budget in the figures .for receipts of. the .;Recreation Department for 1955-56. Corrected sheets for Page 13 wer `distributed'to council:members for insertion in their copies of the .budget -previously sent to them. A motion was made' by, Rodgers, seconded by Mitchell, that the proposed budget be referred to Committee No. 3 for consideration and that a public hearing on -;the budget be held by the .Council on July 22, 1957 . A motion was made ' b Cresapto--aatend. the .previous ; Wootton Dy �instrnctfng•4oMeit*e+eWQ 33 to .,ine ude on ite agenda,, the L aonsidera!- ti:on i, t t:elimination4omythe budget of i;taxes<-.on utilities and :ptrk.in lots:. The amendment wss seconded by:Ruppenthal, and carried by vote on roll call, with 12 Ayes,: Navin voting No. The motion as amended was then adopted by unanimous vote-. on -roll call. The Vice Msyor.appointed Councilman Mitchell As temporary 'chairman of Committee No 3 during the absence of Chairman Bishop. The temporary chairman then-a-nnounced that Committee No.'3 would mee.. tor consideration of the budget on Monday, July 1, 19S7, at 7:30 P.M. South Palo Alto Grade Separation A progress : report: was made- by the City Manager on plans for the underpass. He advised that a number of meetings have been held ;with representatives of the Southern Pacific Company who have been designated by, the company to negotiate with the City; that they have Hmade a number of suggestions regarding preliminary design of the underpase.and these.suggestion``s are now, being considered by the engineers to determine whether they are feasible, and when these questions are resolved, the representatives of the City and the railroad company will negotiate on costs: The City Manager also reported' that the, Assistant City Manager has begun preU urinary pro- ceedings for alte acquisition in connection with the underpass The City Manager suggested that -a letter be sent. to Governer ;Knight advising:'him of the Council's interest in S.3. 2208 now before the. Governor. for signature. This bill provides for an annual ailoca !tion, from the "S.tate's share of highway user funds for the purpose oft aasisting .local governments i.n defraying their share .of, grade:;separa tion costs 0n`motion of gimpson and Davis, the staff was instructed to'send a communication to," the Governor indicating the -City's interest in: S.B. 2208 anxi- requesting `him to'sign the` bill. Proposed_ Budget 1'or 1957-_58 The proposed -_budget for the fiscal year 1957-1'958 was ;.presented,by the City Manager, with a letter of transmittal reviewin the major items of estimated revenues and expenditures for.the vario s departments'and summarizing. the, operating and capital programs, with adrn1ni-3trative recommendations The City Manager advised that the proposed budget, in its present form.i can be` financed with a General Fund tax rate- of 70.63¢ ;per $100.0.0 of 4aissessed valuation," which represents n t'eductXon of approximately 0¢.f'rom-the 1956757 rate; and that the tax, rate to -servicee_general obligation bonds is estimated to be 9.29¢ or an increase, of approximately 5.6¢ over 1956-57. The - total city tax ra te. woui.d be 79.94 gas: compared to a rate. of $1.14 for 1956-57. The City_:Manager pointed out that the. Council has the right. to make any amendments it wishes to the budget, but he askedthat if the ;"Council snakes any sizable; changes., it also make the necessary change i-n the tax, rate in order:to balance the :Income with the:expenditures The: City Manager called attention to administrative prob- lems in enforcing the ordinance requiring non-residents" to pay a fee :for 'use of the. refuse disposal area, and recommended: in the budget .transmittal' letter that the Council give consideration to a possible revision of the basic policy,and require all users to pay a nominal fee for use or, the public dump. Attention was called by the City Manager to an error dis- covered on Page 13,' of the budget in the figures for receipts of the .Recreation Department for<�1955-56, Corrected sheets: for.Page 13 werci distributed- to:council members for insertion in their copies of the budget previously sent:.tothem. A motion was made by Rodgers, seconded by Mitchell-, that the proposed.budget be referred to Committee No. 3 for consideration and that.a public:hearing on the budget be held by .the Council on July 22, 1957. A' motion was Made hY ✓resap.to : amend the previousmotion D�► in6tructin& ommitstow.:Wp«.; rto:inclade .on its agenda;.the consider tion..o€ ;:elleillat3on4rom the 'iR-udget of ;taxea (. on utilltiea and Aparkin ;lots.: The aMendment wars seconded by✓Ruppenthal, ,and carried by vote on roll cal:,, with 12 Ayes; -'Mavis voting No. as amended was then adopted by unanimous vote The Vice:Mayor:appointed Councilman Mitchel':as tempor4ry_ cha:lrnian of. Committee No .:,3 during the absence of Chairman 'Bishop. :The temporery.chalrman then,arrnounced that Committee No 3 would meet ,for consideration of the budget on Monday, July 1, 1957, at -7:30 P -.M.` South, Palo "Alto Grade Separation A -progress report.ma.s made by the City Manager on plans fo `;the underpass :- He :.advised ;ha.t as number of meetings have ;been held ;with representatives of the -Southern Pacific Company who .;have been designated_by the company tO:negotiate,with the City, that they have :made a number of sugge_sti;ons.;.rega.rd1ng preliminary 'design of the underpass: and these'suggestions are now being considered°by the ngineers to determine whether they are .feasible,, and'when these .questions are resolved, the.representatives of. the City: and the 7ilroad company will Negotiate on costs . The City , Manager also reported that the .Assistant City Manager has begun preliminary pro- edings 'for site' acqui='ition in connection with the underpass. ' The City Manager suggested that a letter be sent to Governer ;Knight. advising him of the Counci.l's interest in S.b..._-2208 now befor the Governor for'signature. This bill provides for an annual alloca . tion from the State's shareof highway user, funds for the purpose of_ assisting local governments in; defraying t'neir share" of grade separr- tion costs . On motion' of Simpson and Davis, the staff~', wars- instructe to send -4 communisation to the Governorindi'cating the City's lntere 2208 and requesting him to s-ign:.the bill. Mitchell Park Library Plans" The final;pl"ans and specifications for the Mitchell Park:" ranch , library were presented. Or motion of Byxbee and Rodgers, these plans were approved "and_ the staff was authorized to advertise forbids on the project.; Maintenance Agreement, Landscaping Grade Separation. The City Manager reviewed the maintenance agreement entered' into between the City and the State Division; of Highways in December 1941, covering the maintenance -Of -the landscaping for the'structure.' separating the grades of- El" Camino .Real nnd" University Avenue:. He= reported that the planting imr this 'area is in'very poor condition_ ,and that a complete refurblshing''is ; in' order; that the city, staff- feels it would be desirable to cancel the agreement and ).et the. State take over the entiremaintenance of this area which is'prin- cipally outside" the city limits, and the State has agreed -to do : so It -Wes moved by Cummings, ' seconded and carried that` the agreement with the 'Division of Highways of December, 1941, be,, ter- mina"ted. Memorandum. of = Agreement, Gas - Tax Engineering Funds The City Manager presented a Memorandum of Agreement with the State Division of Highways` for the expenditure of engineering gas ;tax allocation for city streets, explaining that these engineer- ing Sunds amount;to-$13,000..00 which have"been budgeted for applica- ti.on against the cost of surveys and preparation of plans for the South'Palo'Alto Grade:Separation. Resolution No. 2869. approving this Memorandum of .Agreement' and -.authorizing .its execution by_:theMayor was introduced, and on motion of ,Byxbee and Simpson, wa:s:adopted by unanimous vote on roll Memorandumof Agreement, Gas Tax- Funds, J.,57-58 The- City Manager a 1so .presented a Memorandum of Agreement with the State Division of Highways ;for: the allocation of gas tax funds for major city_ streets for the 1957-56 fiscal. year. Resolution No. 2866 approving this: Memorandum of Agreement and authorizing its execution byy:the:Ma:yor was introduced, and on, motion of Byxbee and Navis,--was ;adopted by unanimous vote on roll call-. It was explained that;thi,sagreement-covers maintenance of -major streets, plans and construction, of the underpass approaches; a: portion of Page Mill Road wideninga;"nd `improvement: And the wider- .ng of bridSes on Alma Street at; Drys Creek and Adobe Creek. `"Concession Stand ' in Rlncbnada- : Park The Assistant City'Mana3er reviewed the provisions of proposed lease agreement with P. ;'F. Lerch aid: L. E. Mayfield tor` the operation of the new concession stand in Rincona.da, Park, the term of the agreement to be for a period of 'three and one-half years, with optionto renew, and with the City protecting itself by a 90 -day cancellation clause; the City to receive 71 of the gross revenue. less' sales tsx. On motion of Eyxbee and Alavis, and by unanimous vote on roll call, this :lease agreement was" approved and the Mayor was authorized to sign it in behalf of the City. .Water System Improvements The City' Manager` requested authorization to hire Brown and Caldwell to design:ma3..or pipe lines, pumping stations and central control system for the Water System improvements, advising that funds. for this work are: provided in the 1957-58 budget. A:" • Or, motion of Mitchell and Navis, and by unanimous vote, on roll call, authorization was given for .the hiring of .Brown and Cald- well .for this work, and the Mayor was aWthorized to sign the contract :for their services.. Project 57-1i Page Mill,Road Upon recommendation of the. City Manager, it was moved by Ruppenthal, seconded and carried that the time for making cash pay- ments on Project 57-1, Page -Mill Road widening and impro'.er!ent, be extended" to July 23;4957,, -- Resolution. re Surplus Property Civil Defense) A report was ma.de.tby the City Manager concerning the pur- chase7"by-_ the City of'`"a ,genera.tor, for Civil Defense, purposes from the State Educational Agency_:for Surplus Property, advising that inasnuc as. the -acquisition cost, ofthis equipment to the Federal. Government was in excess of $2500:.00,' -it is necessary for the City Cour_ci2 to pass a resolution acoeptng'the' item and authorizing execution of th Warehouse' Issue; Sheet. Resolution No. 2867 accepting this equipment, -was introduce and on motion :duly made and seconded, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll . cafl Zone Change Application (Guidoux) ,W report was received from the Planning Commission unani- mously recommending denial of the application of Alexander and Anita Guidoux for a change of district from R-1 to R -3-G for the property :loca.ted at 2955 Cowper Street"(rear portion), being a portion of Lot 5#, Wooster Subdivision. On motion of Ruppen:thal and Navis, the recommendation of :the Planning Commission Was adopted and the application for this rezoning was denied. Project 55-11Z Middlefield Road et al Resolution No:. 2868, c raering' reduction andsplit' of .assessments,, Project 55-11, was introduced, and on motion. Of Navis and Drysdale, was adopted by.'unanimous vote on roll call. Resolution No. 2869, amending Resolution No. 2796- pro- viding -for. issuance of bonds., 'Project 55-11, was introduced, and on motion of Rodgers: and :Mitchell, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll :ce 11 Projects 56-7, Middlefield -Colorado Parking District. Resolution No. 2870 of Intention to make changes:and modifica,t'ions, Project '56 7, to provide that the bonds issued on this project shall bear interest at ,rate of 52 was introduced, and or. motion of Mitchell and: Navis, was adopted by:;ananimous .vo:te on roil call. Said resolution, .provides for a hearing on -the proposed change to be held on July 8,.1957 - Project 56-8, Wilkie WA et a1 Resolution No-. 287.1 of Intention to make changes and modifications, Project 56-8, to provide that the bonds:sha.11 bear interest at rate'of not to exceed 6% per annum, was introduced, and on motion. of Mitchell and_:Nevis, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. Said resolution provides for a hearing on the propose change to be held on July 8, 1957. Change of Street Name Ordinance No 17k9,, charging the name of "Barry Court" to "Bellview Drive" was, giver_ second- reading, and on motion of Navis and' Cummings=,- was adopted y unanimous; .vote on rollcall • Claim for Damages (Elsa Frank) A.report was submitted by the City Attorney on claim fled; by Elsa Frank in the stun of*$150,000 for injuries which she claims - to; have sustained in March 1957,. at the Palo Alto Hospital 8s a result of .alleged negligence on the part of the Hospitaln.nd its agents, servants and employees.: The.. City Attorney reported that he has -'investigated the matter,.and finale -no negligence on the part of the City. He therefore recommended the claim be denied. On motion of Rodgers and Byxbee,, the report of. the City Attorney was accepted and this claim denied. Assessment Roll.-fo„ 1957-58 A report was received from the City Assessor submitting, the Assessment Roll for the fiscal year 1957-58 for the purpose of. equalization Attention: was directed to'Sections 459 and 460 of; the , Administrative Code requiring that, the Council meet as a Board of iEqualization at ?:30 P.M. on. the fourth Monday of July and that a notice of the meeting be= published It was moved:by Ruppenthal, seconded and carried that, the Council meetas a,Board of Enua:lization at 7:30 P.M. on July 22, 1957 and that a notice -of this meeting be published by the Clty Clerk.<_ Purchase of Bank Notes The Controller reported for the information of the Council that:' he has purchased $500,000 Federal.Home Loan Bank Consolidated Notes bearing # 1/B% interest.., ; due" March 17, 1958, to be held in lieu of cash Transfers -to Close Accounts' On Motion of Mitchell and Ida=vis, and by unanimous vote on .roll` call, the:` Controller was authorized to make the necessary; trans- f.,ers`, within and between departmental -budgets, to transfer utility fund -balances to the ,General Fund. and `'Make necessary journal entries to`c:lo:se accounts for the fiscal year, -and to transfer additional' funds. to, reserves. Uncompleted Pro,Zects - Reauropriation of Funds It was moved by Mitchell, .seconded by Navis, and carried by unanimous vote on roll call, that'uncompleted projects for which appropriations were made in "the 1956-57 budget be approvedfor - cotnp.letion;,.-that the new' buduet :include a reappropriation of funds needed.`to complete such:�projects. and 'that the Council authorize the `continuation of the workand the expenditure of funds for these pro sects during the period Eton{ the . expl ration of the current budget' to trte adopt on of the newbudget.. to Charles P. Burgess Vice Mayor Marshall at this :time paid tribute to the late`Councilman Charles,P Burgessof Menlo Park, who passed, away on June 16, 1957,- and suggested the •Council pass a resolution in 'memory of Mr. Burgess'_.who 'was a former mayor of Menlo Park and a past president of the:League League :of California Cities. The Vice Mnyor praised Mr.: Burgess for the great contribution he had made to munici-- -pal-government. It was moved by,- .Cresa.p,' seconded and carried that, the Mayor draft an appropriation communication' to be sent to Mrs. Burgess. Commendation of Retiring Councilmen The Vice Mayor,ca.iled attention to the fact that Councilmen Cummings; Drysdale and :Sialpson' are attending their last meeting - s members of the "City `Council, their terms expiring on June 30, 1957,-, and commended them for their -service to the City of Palo Alto. • 15+. alk Thereteing,,na further business to come before the Council meetingvas declared adjourned at 8:45 P.M. .APPROVED : ATTEST:` Vic. ayor