HomeMy WebLinkAbout09081952City .Hall, Palo Alto, California,
-September $, 1952.
The Council of the: -City of Palo Alto met in regular
session on this date at 7:30 P.M., with Vice Mayor Montrouil
presiding.'.:Roll call as: follows::
Presents BiShop,::Bloie, .-Bower.,:.Cathcart, Gaspar, Hill,
Marshall, Miller, Montrouil, Simpson, Wells, Wickett.
Cashel, Drysdale, Titchell
minutes of the meeting of August 25, 1952, were
`A letter was reeeived,from: G. A: Baxter, General Manager
of. the Bureau of` Electricity, Department of Public Utilities,
City of Alameda,, ekpremeing:%sorrow ::for the untimely death of
.Charles •
G. Smith, electrical engineer for the City of Palo Alto,
and:ofeering cooperation andthe assistance of his staff during
the: time the City. is looking ,for another person to replace
Mr. 'Smith.
The City Manager reported .that he had received a similar
letter from -the Modesto Irrigation District.
The. City Manager'advisedthat Mr. Smith had left the
department well prepared as' far as work is concerned; that the
plans for Project. 52-7,, the. 69-iKV: electric line, had been
completed and this.work can proceed without delay. He informed
'the :Council that applications: for the position. of electrical
engineer are being'; received; and the selection of a person to
rill the position 'will be made in the near future.
It was moved by Wickett, seconded by Mrs. Bower, ands`
carried:that a resolution in memory of Mr. Smith and expressing
appreciation` for his services be sent to Mr. Smith's family.
Councilman_. Cathcart was asked to draft the resolution.
C1a m f. or Damages
A report was 'received from the City Attorney advising
that .he , had ,investigated the claim .of Earl H. Nattrass for
damages.as a 'result ,of , an accident which caused injuries to his-
son; Eddie. Nattrass;. that the boy was hurt. while riding a
coaster on the, sidewalk;. that sidewalks are for pedestrians ,and
no“or for vehicles of any kind; and in,, his opinion the injuries if
any were caused .by the boys negl:i.gence The City Attorney
recommended that 'the claim be denied.
0n motion of ;Cath'cart and Blois, the recommendation o
the City Attorney was accepted -and the claim denied.
Bids on 6 -K{V . Electric Line 7morovement Plar. 52-7
The City . Manager, repoxted that a 'notice had been
e publishd calling' for bids,.to be,:received' at 2:00 P.M. on
September 5 1952"" for construction`, of the balance of the 69-KV
overhead: electric line, `Improvement Plan No. 52-7, and that the.
Drily proposal received was from` the Electric Department of the City
of Pa1o.:Alto, which submitted a bid of $55,960.00. He recommended
this bid be accepted.'_
On motion: of Blois and Cathcart, the recommendation was
adopted, and the bid of the Electric Department of the .City of
Palo Alto was accepted..
Supplemental Agreement, Gas Tax Funds
The City Manager recommended that the Mayor and City
Clerk be authorized to sign the First Supplemental.Memorandumof
Agreement for expenditure of the gas tax allocation for major
city, streets=, covering the cost ofinstalling traffic signals,
safet+r lighting, and, channelization at Exnbarcadero Road and the
BaYshore "Highway:, Inatailation of safety lighting at San Antonio
Road and . the Bayshore:_ Highway, and maintenance of major city
streets and secondary city, streets from July 1, 1952 to June 30,
1953.
0n otion of Blois and Gaspar, Resolution: No 2366
approving; thims supplemental agreement and authorizing its execution.
by:the Mayorand:City Clerk was adopted on roll call` -w3 h 11 Ayes, I
Hill voting%_No.•
Prro:ect 52-9, . Paving arid Drainage, New City Hall
The"C ty Manager reported that bids are to be received
on Septeinber.15 1952,.'at k:00 P.M. for the construction of curbs,
gutters:;_' sidewalks; pavement and storm drainage system for the
roadways,:: walks; parking areas and earth work of the new City
Hal He, pointed' out that it is important to, get this work
.done`rbefore the rainy season, and requested authorizationto
. accept "the• low bid• if it is satisfactory, in order to avoid any
delay; ,
On motion of : Simpson and Bishop, th.e City Manager was
authorized to accept the bid and award the contract forthis work
if the ::bid- is within the Engineer's estimate and meets the
specifications, so`:;that` the •work may be started approximately
a week earlier than 'if the award of contract is delayed until
the next ;Council. meeting.
Reports of' Off -Street Parking Committees
The. Vice Mayor announced that a report has been received
from the University Avenue Off-StreetParking Committee and
referred to. Commit tee ;No. ';1- for their consideration before the
report is presented to the, Council and the public,
Mr. HU,Taylar:Peery, Chairman of the California ,Avenue
Off -,Street 'parking -Committee, was present and submitted' a letter
,as a -progress report from his committee. The letter also'
contained.. a _reco enaat1on ` that the "S" parking regulation be.
rem ved immediately.
It': was directed that the final report of the California
Aver'ae committee''be referred, to Committee No:. 1, when it is
received, before 'it is presented' to 'th- Council
Variance, Bloc;{ 59 Seale Addition No. 2
A report" :was :r^eeei.ved from the Planning Comn fission
recommending. ;that the : application' of J'. A. and Edith M Larson
for a .a
var nce?. of`"the r quI ements of the Setback Map involving
a portion;'of` Lot. 6, BlocV".5g, Seale Addition No. 2, by reducing
the street setback: on the,:California Avenue frontage from 26 feet
to? 21 5 feet, be granted' Committee No. 3. concurred in recomanen
ing approval ,or "this variance.
Qn .motion of Hill: and Wells, the recommendation was
adopted- an the: variance granted.
Final Map of, Tract Ito..I6 5`
A report was received .from the .Planning Commission .
recommending approval-, of` the final map of Tract No. 101L5,. ,being
a resubdivi-sion o f Lots 31 and:; 32 cf. the . C M. Wooster Company's
S:ubdivi$ion; of . the Clarke "Ranch.,, . in :'accordance with rec'oznmendation
or.:, the City:.Engineer as.` set fc_rth in the second paragraph- or
Bulletin .No. :52-60:,: .
Committee No 1 recommended approval of this final
map _1r accordance with .recon n,enc'ation of the Planning. Commission
and,City Bngineer that. the dividing line. between Lots'9 and 10,'.
Block 2, be- revised to provide therequired ired width for Lot :10
of. 60 feet:- at the. setback' line; ..that'. approval be made subject
to`theoutcome ,or:a field,check:of the boundary line to resolve
minor differences between this. And adj'oining,subdivisions;''and
that the name „Mackay`- Court" shown` on the appendage from Kipling
Street ` and, serving on1,y five- lots;" be elim a.nated; and with the
furthers provision.. that a .`five foot easement. for utilities and tree
planting be _required: on the south' aide of Kipling. Street along
dots 1 to 7, inclusiv:e, Block '2,
on,: motion o.f ': Gaspar. and Simpson and by unanimous vote
onr :' oll call, the recommendationor Committee No. 1 was approved
and, Resolution No. 2367 approving the map of Tract No. 1045 was ;.
adopted:
Fi a� .AIa of -Tract Tract No. I055," Bell Tract
A ',:reportwas received from the Planning Commission,
reoarwnending.: approval of the f.t nal .map of Tract No. 1055, the:
Bell- Tract, being a `portion of -L.ots 71 and 72, C. M. Wooster
Company:"s subdivision -'of. the: Clarke -Ranch., in accordance w1.tk
recomrnen.datjon of;' the City. Engineer' as set forth in the last
paragraph of Bulietin
'Committee No. 1 recommended approval of this map,
subject'. to : the granting of utility easements through to
Middlefield Road. from" the -rear'-lot'. lines in accordance with:
re'co mendatjon or the Planning Commission and City Engineer.'
0n motion of. Gaspar,.and; Simpson the recommendation
"was adopted and: Resolution :No.. 2368.-approvingthe map of Tract
No. 1055 .was "passed by. unanimous 'vote on roll call.
Redivi-sion. of Lots
A .report was: received;: from the Planning Commission
recommending,, app.roval,.of. the following rectivislonsof lots:
I. Portjor of,. Lots 35, 36 and 37, Mayview Hoznesites,
in. accordance. with' the recommendation of the City Engineer. as
,set forth in:. ,Bulletin "52-49 that the bond assessment under
Series "RR"„ 'Project 51-5, be segregated or paid, and that
a public utility easement be provided as shown on the plan
for. the construction of an . elect'ric utility service line to the
rear lot
2..Lot.9, Block 4, :Seale Subdivision No. 5, subject to
therequired side%„yard being measured from the easement line,
and inaccordance,: with' recommendation of the City Engineer
that Assessment No. 31. or Bond Series "TTY", Project 49-10,
be either segregated or paid, and also subject to the owner's
providing a five-foot utility easement for the purpose of
serving' -electric utilities to the rear parcel, as shown on
the map.
269.
On motion of; Blois ` and :Cathcart, the recommendation was
adopted' and the bid of the .Electric Department of the City of
Palo Alto was accepted.
Suuplenzental-:.Agreement; Gas. Tax Funds
Thee City; Manager recommended that the Mayor and City
Clerk be authorized; to sign.the First SupplementalMemorandum of
Agreement for expenditure of the gas tax allocation for major
city streets.; covering:- thecost of installing traffic signals,
safety lighting, ". and -channel-izatiOn' at r" mbarcadero `: 2oad, and the
.Bayshore Highway,` instsllation of safety lighting at San Antonio
Road and the Bayshore Highway, and maintenance of major city
streets and'- secondary city' streets from July 1, 1952 to June 30;
1953.
On' motion of Blois and Gaspar, Resolution No. 2366
approving,this'supplemental agreement and authorizing its execution
by the Mayor and City Clerk was adopted on roll call with 11 Ayes,
Hill Voting : No
Project= .52-9, Paving and Drainaie, New City Hall
The City Manager=reported that bids are to be received
on September 15', 1952, at k-:00 P.M. for the construction of curbs,
gutters, sidewalks, pavement and storm drainage system for the
roadways, walks., •parking areas and earth work of the new City
Hall.: He pointed out: that it is important to get this work
done before tie rainy`seaon, and requested authorization to
accept thelow bidif it is satisfactory,in order to avoid any
delay.
On rnotlon of Simpson and Bishop, the City Manager was
authorized to accept the bid and award the contract-forathis work
if thebid is within the Engineer's estimate and meets ine
speciflcatiions,'so that the work may be started approximately
a--week"earliex:than if the award of contract is delayed until
the next Council'rieeti ng:
Reports of Of' --Street ?arking Committees
The Vlce Mayor announced that a report has been received
from, the University Avenue Off -Street Parking Committee and
referred :to Committee°:No 1: for their consideration before the
report -is; presented to :;the Council and the public.
Mr ' H. TaylorPeery, Chairman of the California Avenue
0ff-Street Parking; Corriittee, was present and submitted a letter
as a progress :report from his committee. The letter also
contained: a;, recommendation that the "S" parking regulation be.
removed .i nedxate:1y.
1t; bras directed that the final report of the California
Avenue committee be'referred to Committee No. 1 when it is
received., before it is'presented to the Council.
Variance; -'Block :59, Seale Addition No. 2
:A report was received from the Planning Commission
reconrnending that the application of J. A. and Edith N Larson
for -a ;variance' of the . quirements of the Setback Map. involving .
a portion. of. Lot 6 Block- 59:;. Seale Addition No. 2, by reducing
_ the; street ' setback :era the California. Avenue frontage from 26, feet
to 21;.k5 feet,,:sbe _granted,: Committee No. 1 concurred in recommeri
ing. approval of -this variance.
On : motion of Hill and Wells, the recommendationwas
adopted and the variance granted.
A report `was received 'from the Planning Commission
recommending approval of :the .final, map of Tract No. 1045, being
a resubdivision of Lots 31; and 32 of the: C. M. Wooster Company's
Subdivision of .the Clarke Ranch,_ in accordance with recommendation
of.the City Engineer as set forth in the second paragraph of
Bulletin No. 52=60.
Committee No. 1 recommended approval of this final
map in accordance with -recommendation of the Planning Commission
and: City Engineer, that the. dividing line between Lots 9 and ;10,
Block 2, be -revised to provide -the required width for Lot 10
of: 60 . feet:at the setback. line;; .that approval be made subject,
to the outcome of a field rcheck'. of the boundary line to resolve
minor differences between this"-:;a:id'adjoinirg subdivisions; and
that the name "Mackay, Court" Shown. on the appendage from Kipling
Street and serving only five. lots be eliminated; and with the
further:,proviaion: that a 'five -foot -easement for utilities and tree
planting, be;; required -On the .. south side of Kipling Street along
Lots 1 to 7, inclusive,
0tn: motion'of 'Gaspar, and . Simpson, and by unanimous vote
on roll :,call the; recommendation .of Committee No. 1 was approved
and: Resolution No.,,:2367 Happrov .ng, the map of Tract. No.. 10+5 was
adopted.:
?in -al- Aap of Tract No. 1055, Bell Tract
A report was- received;: from the Planning Commission
reoornmezd1ng;;approva).:of the final map of Tract No. 1055, the
I Ball Tract, ;being; a portion.. of ";Lots 71 and 72, C. M. Wooster
Company's.Subdiv aion:of :the Clarke Ranch, in accordance with
recommendation, _of the' City -Engineer,, as set forth in the last
paragraph of`Bulletin=52-61,
Committee, N0 . 1 recommended approval of this map,
subject " to the granting of utility easements through to
Middlefield Road from the rear']ot lines in accordance with
recommendation of the Planning ;Commission and. City Engineer.
0n:`:motibn of Caspar' and Simpson the recommendation
was adopted :and Resolution N9,',2368 approving the map of Tract
No;: -1055 was. passed by unanimous vote on roll call.
-Redivi ion. of Lots
A report was received. from the Planning Commission
recommending .approval of the "following redivisionsof lots:
l. Portion of Lots 35, 36.` and 37, Mayview Homesites,-
in'accordance with the recommendation of -`the City Engineer; as
set forth in; Bulletin 52-4.9 that the bond assessment under
Series "RR", : Project 51-5; be segregated or paid, and that
a'publlc utility;;easement :be;:provided as shown on the plan
for the construction of anelectric utility service line to the
rear lot.`
2:. Lot 9, Block u, Seale Subdivision No. 5, subject to
the required side yard being measured from the easement line,
and in accordan*With recommendation of the City Engineer
that Assessment No. 31. of Bond Series "TT", Project 49-10,
be eithersegregated or paid, and also subject to the owner's,
providing z: five foot- utility easement for the purposeof:
serving,elettric';atlties`to the rear parcel, as shown on:
the map
{
75,77
RMikrrn. YrrRN,sMcn nt•,r..w,.x.>+.-.,:w,,,'w,,xc,.� „n;,
271
—3.-Lots 17 azid 18, Block 9, Seale Addition No. 2,
'located" at the easterly: corner of Emerson Street and
Tennyson Avenue,�as shown on the map submitted.
k Lots ,. ,' , 8, and 9, Block 10, Stanford City,.
located in the':2900 block of Emerson Street, as shown
-On map .submitted .
Committee.Na. 1 reported that it concurred in the
'ecommendations`'.for 'these: ° lot redivisions .
On -.motion o± Hill and Marshall, the redivisions of
lets as -listed ,above•'_were approved. Councilman Cathcart was
absent during the vote on> this motion.
;De s:i gn."'C-on t:ro1;
A report was received from the Planning' Commission
recormiending' denial of the application of Howard Ruth, :Jr. for
design'Control appxoval.of''apartment units to be erected on
Lots- 2 and.: 3,, 4 and" 5, and 6 and 7, Block 2, Stanford City
Subdivision,: for` the reason that the design of the plot plan
will produce_ a' situation: adverse to the public safety and
convenience. Committee'No. 1 concurred in this recommendation.
A; letter wasreceived from. Mr. Ruth requesting' that
no action be taken.at.�this time on his plans, and that he be
Permitted to,rneet°'with the appropriate Council committee on the
matter at: its, next meeting.
After discussion,.it was moved by Mrs. Bower,
seconded by Gaspar, and carried that the plans as submitted
be denied.. It was pointed out that Mr. Ruth can present an
amended•plan:at_any time'1f he wishes to do so.
Ordinance on`Uz:.I ormiiy in Exterior Design of Residential
tuiidi,ngs
A report was submitted by the Planning Commission
recommending , the .adoption of a proposed ordinance to regulate
the uniformity in the exterior design and appearance of buildings
erected;:.in the same -residential neighborhood for occupancy as
dwellings:: Committee` No. 1 recommended that first reading by:f.
given to the proposed ordinance, copies of which had previously
been sent to each council member.
motion.!was made by Blois, seconded by Miller,' that
the proposed ordinance be: held for further study before it is
given -first reading The vote on roll call was as follows:
Ayes: Blois, Cathcart, Gaspar, Miller.
Noes.Bishop, Bower, Hill, Marshall, Montrouil,
Simpson, Wells, Wickett.
The motion was lost and the ordinance was accepted
for first reading.
It -was thought that: some publicity should be given to.
the, provisions of the proposed ordinance and that local.contractors
and: architects; should •;be given an opportunity to review it and
express their;;op:inions;before any final action is taken. The
City Manager was •requested to send copies of the proposed
ordinance to architects and contractors who would be interested in
it.
.The ordinance•was referred back to Committee` No. 1 for-.
further study,.. the committee., to determine when it should be
brought back to the Council. for second reading.
Project 52-10, N .. Cali ? ornia Avenue et al
A report was. received.from Committee. No. 1 recommending
that proceeding's be i.nitiated.,immediately for the improvement
of N. California Avenue between Middlefield Road and Embarcadero'
Road, and portions 'of Colorado Avenue, Louis Road, Loma Verde
Avenue,, and Ross Road, to be designated as Project No, 52-10,
N. California Avenue et al.
adopted.
Or moti.cn:of Blois and Gaspar, the recommendation was
Waverlc =Street:. Arterial
A report: was received from Committee No. 2 recommend-
ing that the proposed ordinance establishing Waverley Street
as an arterial',from:Hamilton Avenue to Diss Road, which was
given first reading on July 14, 1952, be tabled.
On motion of Simpson and Cathcart, the recommendation
was adopted.
No -Parking Zone on Castille,ja Avenue
A report was received from Committee No. 2 recommend-
ing the adoption of an ordinance prohibiting parking at any
time on both sides of Castilleja Avenue between Park Boulevard
and Mariposa' Avenue.
On motion of Bishop and Simpson, the proposed
ordinance was accepted for first reading.
Amendment to Irprovement Procedure Code
A proposed.ordi.rance was presented providing for
an amendment: to Ordinance'No. 8kk, the Palo Alto Improvement
Procedure Code,relating to procedure for amended assessments
It was pointed, out that the> change would simplify the procedure -
and provide for the splitting of assessments without hearings,
or Council action.
.0n motion of Gaspar and Simpson,, the ordinance was
given first reading and referred to Committee No. 1.
Controller's' Report,
The monthly report of the Controller was received
and placed _on fiZee..:
,Leave to Courc;tl,man -Sin son
A request was received from Councilman Simpson for
permission to leave the State from September 19 to October 2,
1952•' On :notion of` Marshall and Blois, the request was granted.
Garbage .Complaints
Counc,i.lran Bishop reported that complaints had come
him from, residents near the. Ca11fornia Avenue commercial area
in .;regard`to 'the noise ..made by the garbage col?eotion in the
early.morning hours The City. Manager advised that one resident
of that; area ,ha'd con ained'a number of times and that the
c)-14ection' had,beer,:.,re-routed,in an effort to satisfy him
Fie pointed out that thi,'s ,prohleri ;exists where people live in. or
near,the commercial district,' but that the contract provides 'that
the gaabage trucks must be out of the businees district by a
certain hour and also -that ---packer type trucks•be used.
On.motion of Hill, the 'Council ed.
Vice. Mayor