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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04271953373 City Hall, Palo Alto, Calirornia; April 27, 1953. The ,Council of the. City of Palo Alto met in° regular" session on this date at 7:30 P.M., with Mayor Mitchell. presiding. This is the first meettng held in the new City Hall, 1313; Newell Road. Roll call as follows: Present": ;Bishop-, "Blois, Cashel, Drysdale, Hill, Huston, Jackson, Marshall, Miller, Mitchell, Montrouil,, Porter, Simpson, Wells. Absent: Wickett. Pro eot 52 Off -Street Parking, U,Tniversity, Ave. District This was the time set for a hearing on. Resolution: No. 2424 of Preliminary )etermination and of Intention' to modify. proceedings- for Project. `52-14. The proposed modifications. were: explained by; the City Manager. The hearing.was declared open. Mr. Lee;Ro"dgera,;; representing Mrs Walter C. Rodgers, owner of Lot 68" in`Block:37,: addressed -the -Council ` and read a letter from Mrs. Rodgers in which( she opposed the -acq lotion of her property. There being no.one else who wished to speak on this question, the `hearing was closed. Letters were `received from Mrs . Christine Hurd, 335:Bryant Street,,':protesting the inclusion of any or all of her property in the modified plan, and from John G. Pantages, owner of property at ' 536-538" Cowper Street, protesting the change which -has' been 'made in the amount of land taken for an alley., Resolution No. 2'430, determining convenience and necessity, and ordering modification of preliminary proceedings, Project 52-14, was :presented, and on motion of Montrouil and Hill, was, adopted on roll call, with 13 Ayes, Cashel; not voting on the "notion. This was `also the time for hearing on Resolution of Intention No. 2425 to make acquisitions and improvements, Project 52-'14;. iritten:protests were received from Elsie M.,Whitling and Maybelle.A. McClellan, property owners in Block 19, and from Mr, .and..Mrs..W. H. Shaw, property owners in Block. 29. The Mayor reported that a group interested in the project'have interviewed property owners in the district and that 71.5'per cent of the area involved are in favor of the project; that theytotal,number of parcels in the district is 172 of which 109,, or;.63. per :cent, are in favor. The hearing was declared open. Mr..AaronM. Sargent, attorney for severaI property owners, `"addressed theCouncil in protest to the project e advised thathe represented=C. M. Alexander, Maurine Alexander, Elsie M. ,Whitling, ;Christine Hurd, Stephen Koss, B. S. ;Gibson, :Harvey Nixon and Maria C. Steinbiss, and read a letter signed by thesepersons reaffirming their previous .protests acid authorizing hits to ,speak";; in their'behalf. Mr. Sargent referred to the Suit filed. fora writ of mandamus on which the Appellate Court' will have-' a; hearing on May 25, 1.953, and asked for postponement: of, the `hearing.by the -Council until after the court has made its decisions Mr.Sargent protested the entire proceedings. Mr..- Frank L: Cry apt., owner `of several parcels in the district concerned,;apoke in.favor of the project. Mr. Kenneth McDougall, as a property - owner `.in; the district and also on behalf ®f ,Mr. T.' C. Christy, spoke in favor of the project. Mr. Lorenz Costello, representing W. B. McMillan and:: Mrs. Adeline Reinhart,,, eked- when property, others would have an opportunity to discuss` -questions. -with city officials regarding the acquisition of their ;properties.. , The City Attorney advised that thisTis the time for property owners or their representatives to be heard on -any questions regarding the proceedings. Mr. Harvey Nixon,; 430 Kipling Street, objected to being included in the assessment district,_: and asked questions regarding-: the:boundaries.of the district. Anyexplanation regarding the establishment of. the boundaries was given by the Planning Officer and by Mr. G E.: Carey. Mr. Lee Rodgers, attorney representing Mrs. T. S. Whitling, co -owner --of the property at 352. Everett Avenue, opposed the acquisition of a portion of this'property, and Mr. Stephen Koss, 443 Kipling, Street, objected to the taking of part of his property And to being included in the assessment district. Doris McMillan asked for an opportunity to discuss the problew with some one. The City ,Attorney advised that property owners could talk`over:any matters in connection with the project with the City Engineer, -::the --Planning. Officer or other city officials at any t;me. The.City Manager reviewed the history of the project " and pointed; out that the staff has attempted to explain the plans, to. property owners whenever asked to do so. Inanswer.to a question'by Walter J. Bruce, the City Manager advised that the:appraisal figures are in the hands of the Engi �.i.ty neer,:- that a: negotiator to discuss prices with the property owners would be htred.`later if it is decided to proceed with the project.. Mrs.: Maria C. Steinbiaa, 442 Tasso Street, objected to having her property taken' by,condtmnatlon but said she would bey willing to sell it for a .fair price. There._being no others who wished to speak, the hearing was "declared. closed. Resolution No' ,_ 2431 overruling protests on the Resolution - of Intention was presented, and a -Motion was made by Montrouil, seconded `by;Simpson,;'that the,'resolution be adopted. During the discussion which folslowed, the City Manager and City Attorney pointed out that _i' :the 'project,'is carried through a negotiator will :be hired by the City `and that. wherever possible attempts would :be made to :negotiateall s"purchases; that the basis of negotiation would; be a`;t&ir-market value. The:`City `Attorney advised that if the resolutions on the project arepassed-At this', meeting, that no further steps involving' expenditure of funds , be taken - until after the court decision on. the suit for a writ; of=mandamus has been rendered. .The resolution overruling protests was then adopted by vote on roll call, with 13.`Ayes, Cashel voting No. Resolution Ito. 2432 ordering, acquisitions and improvements, Pro ject 52-14, was ;presented, and on -motion of Montrouil and Hill was adopted on roll; calls with 13° Ayes, Cashel voting No. Ada Resolution N;o. 2433, determining that the public interest and necessity: jrequire 'the acquisition of off-street parking lots, and directing the''fi.ling of ' eminent domain proceedings., was presented, and on motion of Hill and Montrouil, was adopted on roll call,, Mith 23 ; `Ayes,: Cashel voting No. (A recess. was taken at this time, 9:25 P.M., and the:Council reconvened at 9:35 P.M.) Project 52-101; N: California Avenue et al Resolution No., 2434; a,Otafirming aaeedament on Project 52-10, based. on the Contractor's figures, was read, and.on motion of Wells and Blois, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll Project 48-:1-4', Resin Street Extension Resolution No.,2k35, ordering diagram for Pro_jec:t No. 48-14, was read, and on motion of Montrouil and Wefls,was adopted, by unanimous:vote on roll call. Claim for Damages A claim was received from Gertrude Holt and::Willies Holt, against" the City of ]Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Hospital, -for pers;o injuries in the amount of 0,000.00. This was referred to t he City Attorney. Request to Abandon Alley, Sterling Gardens A letter was received from the Sterling Terrace Corpora- tion requesting the abandonment of an alley adjacent to.:Block.9, Sterling Gardens No. 1. This was referred to Committee No 1. Contingent Fund Expenditures The ,report of; the City Manager regarding transfers from the": Contingent :Fund for the month of April was deferred until` the next meeting, • Bids` on Project 532-2, Substation Footings and Foundations. A report was made by the City Manager on the bids received on April 24, 1953, on substation footings and. foundations, Project 53-2, with the recommendation that the contract for this work be awarded to Peter Sorensen in accordance with his bid " of $9,750.00." adopted. Gifts to New C2.ty:Hall 'The City Manager announced that the following gifts have been received for the new City Hall: two first aid kits from the Red Cross,- Palo; Alto Chapter, a redwood and copper planter box for the lobby. from Huettig-Schromm & Bennett, landscape contractors and a vitreous,..china urn for the lobby from the Woman's Club of Palo Alto', Cori niotIon of Huston and Bishop, the recommendation. •was It"was;moved, seconded and carried that these gifts be accepted and that the Mayor send letters of appreciation to the donors. a Sale of Dredge, A report: was made; by the City Manager on the bids received on April 10;1953, for :sale of the dredge, with the recommendation thatthe bid of"the:Associated Dredging Company in :the amount.. of $3;, 560.-00 be 'accepted. The City Manager pointed out that ayear. age :tile dredge;was :declares?, by the City Engineer and::Electrical Engineer to be , unfit for operation unless extensive repairs were _made ; to ' it:. A motion was .made by ::Blois, seconded by Jackson, that the recommendation be adopted and the dredge be sold to the Associated Dredging. Company for $3,560.00. Councilman Cashel was opposed to the motion and asked for a roll call. The vote was 13 .Ayes and I No,(Cashel.voting No), and the motion was declared adopted. Exchange of Bonds A report =eras received from Committee No. 5 recommending that the Treasurer be authorized to exchange $50,000.00 2 "G" bonds due July, 195:3,: for 3i% Long. Term Treasury Bonds dated May 1, 1953, to mature June 15, 1983. On motion of,Montrouil and Wells, Resolution No. 2436 authorizing the exchange-of`these bonds was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. Call of Bonds A report was received from Committee No. 5 recommending that the Controller be authorized to -call the following bonds 105, and refund unearned interest collected: ?GG" Bonds Nos. 126 to 150 inc. Due July 2, 1954 Nos 151 to 156 inc. Due July 2, 1955 "II" Bondi Nes. 81 to 96 inc. Due July 2, 1954 "JJ' ff Bonds Nos . 13 to ,15. ,inc. Due July 2, 1954 " Nos 16 to 18 inc. Due July 2, 1955 " Nos. 19 -to 21 inc. Due July 2, 1956 "PP" Bonds Nos. 26'to 32 inc. Due July 2, 1955 " '► Nos. 33 to 40ine. Due July 2, 1956 " " Nos:. 41 : to 44 inc. Due July 2, 1957 "RR" Bonds Nos. 37 to 54 inc. Due July 2, 1954 " " Nos . 55. to 62 inc. Due July 2, 1955 "uu" Bonds_ Nos-. 22 to 42 inc. Due July 2, 1954 On motion; of Montroui.l` and Wells, the recommendation was - adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. Proposed Zone Changes, Stanford City A report wad received from the Planning Commission advising that it held a.publichearing on the application of George.M. Dutch for change- "of district of'portion of Blocks 7 and 8, Stanford City, from R-1 to:R-3-D District, and that no protests were received The Commiasion,recoamnendedthat the application be denied since the history,ofthe Design :Control ordinance has not been. too consistent.. In place of the 3-D Distract, the Commission recommended rezoning the. property;to R=3 -G, Residential Garden Apartment District., Aproposed ordinance rezoning portion of Blocks 7_.and 8, Stanford City, from R-1 to R -3--G was accepted for first , reading `anc; referred, to Cozzi ttee No. 1 for a report. The.Planning Commission also reported that it. -held a - public hearing; on: theappli,cation of Nadine Fraumeni for change of zone" .of portion of Lots 9, 10, 11 and 12, Block 10, Stanford City,. from R-1 to�R-3, and that only two protests were received. The Connnissionrecommended that the application be denied, but recommended approval of a change to"R-3-D, extending from El Carmelo.Avenue 165,f.eet to Matadero Creek, since, the adjacent property le zoned11-3-D A proposed ordinance rezoning portion of Block,l0., S=tanford City, from R-1 to R -3-D was accepted for first reading and referred to Committee No. 1 for a report. Use Permit fo:r Religr.ous Center A report waa received from the Planning Commission recommending approval of the application of Rev. Robert 2. Morse of the Protestant Epispopal Church for a use permit to conduct a.reOigious center at 33. Kingsley Avenue, with the following conditions a. That the use be limited to a period of three years. b. That theuse be confined to the existing structures on the property. c:. That off-street 'parking be provided wherever possible to do so without sacrificing any of the oak trees on the land. 0n motion of Montrouil and Simpson, the recommendation was adopted: 'Change of Street Names, Fairmeadow A report was received from the Planning Commission recornmending that the Council give consideration to therequest of the; petitioners asset forth in their petition for -renaming' of streets ins' the Fairmeadow Tract, based upon approval,.by the Building Inopector.of a numbering system proposed by the pe.titioners..'` It. was.:pointed out that the' circular' streets in this tract -have created a problem in regard to the naming of streets.and.numbering of .houses, and that the residents of the area andthe Building Inspector have agreed on a plan' for the renumbering. The, matter was referred to Committee No. 1. Amendment -to Zoning' Ordinance A report was submitted by the Planning Commission re- affirming its previous recommendation of February 28, 1953, for an amendment to section 11.13 of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Rear-Ys.rde in C-2 Districts. Action oh a proposed ordinance amending Section 11.13 was deferredand the matter referred back to Committee No. 1 for further consideration. R'edivisi.on :of Lots A report was received from the Planning Commission, recommending.approval or the redivision of Lots 8 and 9, Black 10, Seale" Addition ho.:;' 2, `l:o.cated; on the westerly corner of Tennyson Avenue .:and -Bryant ,Street,:;: It was pointed out that no engineering problems are involved, and that no easements are required. on motion `of Montrouil and Wells, the recommendation for approval of this lot: redivision was adopted. • 1 378 Closing Porticn•of Wright . Place Revolution No."2*37 orderink. the closing of a portion of Wright Place. in Fairmeadow, Tract No. 892, was presented, and on, iaotion 'of` Montrouil,' and,_:Wells, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. It was' explained' by the City Attorney that this street has -nowt been opened as a public street and therefore no heaving is required. The City Attorney also reported that the owner of the property, Mr. Joseph L4:Eichler, would file a letter releasing the City from any :future":paymen:tst in 'connection with the removal_ of any sewer or water ,pipes that may be necessary in this street. "No Pariiing_Z"one" "on` First Street Ordinance No 1460_ establishing a "No Parking Zone", on the'' northeasterly side. of First.Street between Olive and Sheridan Avenues,was given second. reading, and on motion of Wells and Simpson, was adopted_ by.'unanimous vote on roll call. Limited Parking Zone, on "Page Mill Road Ordinance No.- 1461 establishing a two-hour limited parking zone :on the southeasterly 'side Of Page Mill Road between First and Second :'Streets,: was given ` second reading, and on motionof Wells and Simpson, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call Arterial Stop Signs Ordinance No. 1k62 establishing stop signs at Newell Road and North Calif ornia :Avenue,, and establishing Stanford Avenue as an arte_rial.street.between El Camino Real and the southwesterly` City 'limits,' was given second reading, and on motion of- Wells and Simpson,, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. Election for Councilmen A certificate was submitted by the City Clerk certifying - that the following candidates have been nominated in accordance with the city ordinances for -the office of Councilman for the six - year termi` Robert-""W.°Byxbee, Mildred _S Corcoran Weldon. B . Gibson Walter B. _.HiI Milton C. Iverson Hugh C. Jackson Haroad" Kay` William A, _Laine Noel Edmund Porter Lee W. Rodgers Karl" -M. Ruppenthal Wells Howard A. Zink That the following candidates have been nominated for the four-year term: J. Byron:Blois Robert H ..s Cummings And that the following candidates have been nominated for the two- year term: Donald"A. Hanley Paul J. -Huston Philip"""W. Montrouil Peggy McElligott Ordinance No. 1463,_providing for a general municipal election to be held on: Tuesday, May 12, 1953, for the purpose of electing eight councilmen as- mem ers of the City Council of the` City" of Palo';Aito, was: presented, and on motion of Miller'and Drysdale, was' adopted " by' usnanimous vote on roll call The ordinance provides that five of said councilmen are to''` serve. fore a term of .six years, one for a term of four years, and: two for a teri of two years, said terms to commence July 1;1953, City'Hall Dedication . and Open House 'On` motion of Simpson and Wells, the Council expressed thanks and Appreciation to 'the City Manager and members of -the staff for the arrangements: and program that were carried' through for the :dedication . and open house at the new City Hall or 'OM 25, 1953 On motion of Montrouil and Marshall, the Council adjourned at 10:30 P.M. ATTEST.: