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City Hall, Palo Alto, California,
June 27, 1955.
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The Council of the City of. Palo Alto met in regular
session on this date at 7:30 P:M:, with Mayor'Simpson presiding.
Roll call as fol`.lows :
Present: Byxbee, Cashel, Corcoran, Hanley, Huston, Marshall,
Mitchell, =Porter,, Rodgers, Simpson, Wickett.
Bishop, Cummings, Drysdale, Ruppenthal.
The minutes of the meeting of June 13, 1955, were ap-
California Avenue Off -Street .Parking Project 2-16
Project 5-5 ,
It was moved by Mrs. Corcoran, seconded by Mitchell,.
carried'. that.' the,matte.r relating to; the California Avenue off
street:parking'project, which -was. tabled at the last meeting, be
takerifrom the table.
Reference was:: -made ;to:.the report of Committee No. 2 re
celved at the last. meeting,-recommer•.ding that the first legal
steps -be-taken to start new proceedings for the acquisition of
off-street parking lots:in the: California Avenue business distr C
as recommended:by.-the.California Avenue Parking Committee; that
a Resolution Of Preliminary Determination be adopted and that a
date be:s;et for public hearing, and that the City Manager be.
authorized to makeHpreiiMinary studies and plans for the project;
and further recommending that the staff be instructed to send a
notice to all property owners in the contemplated assessment dis
trict: advising them of tl'e- _pro jest and the date of the public
hearing, and informing them:_'of the fact that the taxes mt,y be
raised approxir,ately41.00 per.$100.00 of assessed valuation to
pay for.the cost of the project
Resolution No:.,2627 terminating proceedings under Fro
ject . 52-:16 wa's introduced.,, and. on -'motion of Mitchell and Byxbee`,
was adopted by unanimous,vote,on-roll call.
Resolution No 2628 of,:Preliminary Determination to
proceed; with the California Avenue District Off -Street Parking
Project, Projeet,No.°55-5 was introduced. On motion of Mitchell,
and Wlokett, the resolution was adapted by unanimous vote or roll`
call,, and the -staff was instructed to send a notice to all pro
perty owners In the proposed assessment district as recommended
by Committee No. 2. The resolution. provider for the use of Bond
Plat -E in these proceedings, and fixed July 25, 1955, as the date
for a hearing on the project.
Cancellation of Taxes' on.. State Property
A letter was received: from the State Division of High-
ways requesting the cancellation.. of` the second installment of
195k-55 taxes and subsequent taxes -on property located on San
Antonio Road and the Bayshore:Highway acquired by the State from
the Coastwise Construction Company for freeway purposes, and re-
questing that said.property be removed from the assessment roll.
On motion_'of Porter and Byxbee, the request was granted.
and the cancellation of these taxes was authorized.
Assessment Roll for 1955-56
"A -communication was received from the City Assessor sub-
mitting for equalization the Assessment Roll for the fiscal year
1955-56, and directing attention to Section k60 of the Adminis-
trative Code reauiring the Council to meet as a Board of Equali-
zation: on the .fourth Monday of :July at 7:30 P.M. On potion of
Rodgers and Marshall, it was directed that a notice be published
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that; ;the Council:, will meet as a Board of Equalization at 7.30 P.
on -'.7104,,25/1.955 --
;Letter from Frank D. Banham
A letter from Frank D. Banham, 113 Lois Lane, co►nmen
ding ,the City for improvements made in the Yacht Harbor area,
was' read and placed on file_.
Relocation of Airport ` Hangar
The. City Manager presented a letter from the County
Manager _of 'San Mateo County, requesting approval of the proposed
site for,relocation of the T -hangar at the Palo Alto Airport.
He;explained that this T -hangar is outside the area leased to
. San :`Mateo: County ;for : the airport, and they now propose to move
it off _city proi,'erty and on, to the leased property. The City
Manager recommended the request be approved.
On:.motion of ,-Rodgers and Huston, the Council approved
the site proposed(for the relocation of the hangar.
(C.ourcilmen Bishop; and Drysdale came at this
time, 7:50'P.M. and were present for the
rest of` the meeting. )
Amendments to Fire Prevention Code
The -City, Manager submitted a proposed ordinance amending
Artiole` 17 of.Cedified Ordinance No. 5, the Fire Prevention Code,
adding a, -new definition to Section 17.101 on "Fire Hazard or Fire
Nuisance" and amending Section 17.190. regarding "Bonfires and
Outdoor. Rubbish Fires"; also adding a new section 17;-1910'on
"Incinerators. The Fire Chief explained the proposed amendments.
The ordinance was accepted for first reading:
Bids on Project 55.-3, Mitchell ?ark
A report was made by the City Manager on the bids re-
ceived on June 2k,:-.195.5`, for the construction of the parking lot
in Mitchell Park rotect 5.5-3, with the recommendation that the
low bid ;of the Freeman Paving Company in the amount of $24;490.10
be accepted.
On: motion of Porter and Marshall, and by unanimous vote
on roll, call., the bid of Freeman Paving Company was accepted and
the Mayor was authorized to sign the contract.
Budget for 19557 56
-The City Manager submitted the proposed budget for the
fiscal year1.955-,56.
On motion of -Mitchell and Rodgers, the budget as pre--
pared,b,i the City Manager was received and referred to Committee
-. No.. 3, and a,public hearing on the budget was set for Juiy25,
1955•`
Supplemental Agreement, Gas Tax Funds
The`City Manager. advised that the State has approved a,
supplemental agreement for the expenditure of gas tax funds for
1955-:56;, the: program to include a bridge on Middlefield Road over
the relocated Adobe Creekand lowering the high :pressure, P. G. & E.
gaEr main at the site of thi new bridge; new bridges over Dry Creek
at;Cowperr-Street and at Rosa Road, widening bridges on Middlefield
Road.overrDry Creek_and:Matadero Creek, on Waverley Street, Ross
Road and Louis Road'ever;Matadero Creek, and street maintenance.
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The CityManager:recommerded;appr;oval:of the agreement by.the.
Council so that work on-loweri:ng the high pressure gas main can
proceed as soon as possible.
Resolution No. 2629 approving the First Supplemental -
Memorandum of Agreement -for expenditure of gas tax allocation for;
major city streets, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to,
sign the agreement onbehalf of the City, was introduced, and on
motion.: ofByxbee and'P.orter, was adopted by unanimous vote on
roll call.
Award for Traffic Supervision
The:City Manager'rep.orted that awards for police traffic
supervision in:1954 have been announced by the International
Assocation:::of Chiefs Hof Police, and that the City of Palo Alto
tied for first. place in the group of cities of 25,000 to 50,000
population, in whieh'1k0 cities competed.
On motion; o.f; Mitchell and Drysdale, the Council ex-
pressed appreciation` to the Chief of Police and other members of
the staff whose efforts and industry were responsible for winning
this.award.
City Picnic
The City Manager announced that the city employees''
picnic will: b'e held on July 16, 1955, at Adobe Creek Lodge, and
that Council members and -their, families are invited.
Annual League Conference
The CityManager called attention to an announcement
from the League -of Califorpia, Cities, of the 57th Annual Conference
of the League to be-held/in San Francisco September 18-21, 1955,
and requested council re'mbers to advise the City Clerk of their
plans ' for this conference.
Contract with Stanford for. Use of City Dump
The City Manager advised that the one-year contract with;
Stanford University tor -use of, `the City's garbage dump expires on
June ::-30,, 1955. .;
On motion of_ Byxbee, and Drysdale, the City Manager was
authorized to` sign.,a; one-year extension of the present contract
at rate of $100.00 per -;:month
Gas and Electric Rate - Schedules
A report was received• from 'Committee No. 3 recommending
the;'adoption of, gas and electric rate schedules (Schedule G-1 for
gas servi0 within the, incorporated limits of the City of Palo
Alto and Schedule- G 2..°for..l,gas service outside the city; Schedule,
�. 1. residential electric rate,'Schedule E-2, commercial electric
rate;, and Schedule.e E-3, standby 'rate). The committee recommended
that 'the gas rate schedules become effective with the July billing
and that<the electric` rate.scheduleq be effective with the August:
billing:
A,motion was: made byMitchell, seconded by Drysdale,
thatthe recommendation$.. and rate schedules be adopted. It was
explained that the commerc;ial::rate approximates the P. G. & E
commercial. rate:; -in this` area,, and- the residential rates would be . a
little lower than the ' P G..- & Ee residential rate.
Mr. Robert, E l ekley' addressed the Council regarding
the electric rates, stating; that' the electric system has paidea
large ;etum into the genera'' .fund over the years, and that he felt
it would be fairer to thee .006 ",4' Palo Alto if capital im-
provements. and .extensions- to the.'aYatem were financed by bonds.
He.:asked that the Council defer action on setting the rates.and
prepare a capital' improvement p]an with a view to having_a bond
issue.
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_- Councilman Bybee pointed out that part of the increase
in rates; ,Is::necessary::to meet the increase in wholesale rate by
the P,1. E. and. the balance is needed to cover salary increases
and .additional 'costs of expanding the facilities. He favored
adopting the. :new schedules at this time and reviewing the long
range capital,pregram Within the next year. Other council menbers
agreed than. the' proposed` rate increase is reasonable;, and also
felt that other methods of financing capital improvements should
be,conyidered during the next year.
The City Manager stated that before the Council voted on
the motion to adopt: gas and electric rate schedules as recommended,
he wished to bring a matter regarding electric rates.ta their
attention He advised that prior to January 1, 1953, the City.:had
sixteen_ different `electric rates; that fourteen o: these rags
were frozen at.that.time; that many customers remained: on these
schedules° -and enjoyed` a, „considerably lower rate because 'of that
fact; a.nd_that the adoption ,'o£ the rates tonight means' not.: only
.the abolishment of the7.ir,equitable schedules with substantial
power increases; for these accounts, but also' that all customers
would be placed on either Schedule E-1 or Schedule E-2.
The motion to adopt the gas and electric rate schedules
as recoMMended by Committee. No. 3 was then carried unanimously.
Monroe Park` Annexation
Mr. Max J. Baer,';316 Monroe Drive, addressed' the Council
and filed. a new petition for consent to the commencement of an-
nexation' proceedings, to .annex the Monroe Park area to the City
of PaloAl.to.: .He --"also .filed- a survey taken to ascertain the
preference of the::residents in the area, and stated that 333
people had been contacted, that 248 of them preferred to be an-
nexed to Palo'Alto, 14 preferred to annex to Mountain View, and
71 preferred,,,toremain status quo. Mr. Baer stated that, even
though the Council had turned down a similar petition at the last
meeting, the ,petitioners decided to present another petition at
this time, in :view .of the results of their survey. He also re-
portedthat he had contacted the Superintendent of Schools and
had received a letterfrom him stating that the Palo Alto Unified
School District is in a.posi.t:.on to take care of the children in
the Monroe Park area who would be attending elementary and junior
high schools.
Mrs. Doris Hawes, 4378 Miller Court, spoke in opposition
to the petition, stating that some residents of the area were not
contacted, and that others were given false information; that many
of them preferred.to remain in an unincorporated area and did not
wish.to.take on the burden of assessments for improvements which
a.City:would require. Mr. James Powers, 295 Monroe Drive, said
he opposed annexation and that the property owners in the area
cannot take:on any More assessments. Mr. R. J. Herzing, 317 Monroe.
Drive:, spoke.infavor of annexation.
0nmotion of Mrs. Corcoran and Huston, the question was
referred to Committees No. 1 and No. 3 and the Planning Commission
for study and report.
(A recess was taken at this time, 8:45 P.M., and
the Council reconvened at 9:00 P.M.)
(Councilman ,Hustor, left at this time and did not
return to the meeting.)
Improvement Bond Procedure
A. report. wasreceived from Committee No. 3 recommending
that; as, a matter. of future policy, the Palo Alto Improvement Pro-
cedure Code be amended to remove from the code the authority to
transferfunds: or. levy special taxes in the event of delinquen
ties, as to`Bond Plans a arc. E` only,'. this change in the code not
to .be effective until. after. the, sale .of the balance of the -Uni-
versity Avenuedistrict:.off�street:parking bonds and the bonds to
be issued for the California Aqenue off-street parking project
A,proposed ordinance. amending the Palo Alto Improvement
Procedure -Code, relating to supplemental remedies, repealing
Section 18 of. Part'5 and Section' 17 of Part 6 of Article IV, was
introduced, and on -motion -of Mitchell and. Drysdale, was accepted
for first, reading and: referred to Committee No. 3 for further
consideration and report -to the Council .
Zone Change Applications: (Sumnere Riechers, C000er)
A report was received from:the Planning Commission re-
commending that the following zone change applications be denied:
a. Application of Alice H. Sumner to rezone property
on the southerly corner of University Avenue and
Fulton. Stv.let from R -»'1-:R (Single Family Residence
District with= provision for transition to multiple
family use) to R -3 - Residential -Professional
Di'strict).
b. Application of A. Riechers for rezoning of area,
along Alma:"Street, from :035 to 1121 Alma Street,
fromR-2 (Limited Apartment District) to M-1
(.Light Industrial District).
c, Application of William J. and Neva I. Cooper for
change of .zone of the -area at. 779 Loma Verde Ave-
nue from:R-l:A '(Single Family Residence District
with- Agricu ltura7. Regulations) to M -1:S (Light
Industrial District with Special 'Parking Regula-
tions -Y. - '
Mr.Philip Di Maria, attorney, spoke in behalf of Mr.
William J. Cooper, and urged the Council to grant his applica-
tion.
The recommendations of the Planning Commission were
explained by the Planning Officer.
It. was ;moved ' by ' Porter, seconded and carried that the
recommendation for denial of the Sumner application (Item a) be.
adopted, and that the, Riechers. and Cooper applications (Items b
and c) be referred to,`Committee No.`1.
Amendment to.P4Plan.(Peery)
Aereport; -was_ submitted by the Planning Commission re-
conimendingF that the application of H. Taylor Peery for an amend-.
rent' to the development .pllan, for the P -C District located at the
southerly corner of -San- Antonio Road? and Middlefield Road, to
allow a<restaurant facing on San Antonio Road, be denied, but
that --an amendment to' the development plan to allow use of the
property facing on Middlefield Road for either the Department of.
Motor Vehicles ora restaurant be'approved. The -patter was ex-.
plained:.by the Planning; Officer.
Mr, ;Harlow'-Rothert. addressed the Council in Mr. Peery's
behalf, ;requesting that the development plan be amended to permit
both a . restaurant' and a buildin_ g for the Department of Motor
Vehicles on; the ,p'ortion ":of the property facing Middlefield ..Road;
and stating that Mr.' Peery fees there is sufficient area for both
uses if his bid to the Department of Motor Vehicles is accepted.
recommendation of the Planning Commission was adopted, and the '
`question concerning the possibility of both, uses on the property
was referred. back. to the -Planning Commission for consideration. .
After discussion,; on motion of Porter and Rodgers, the
Zone Changes
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A report was: received from the Planning Commission re-
commending approval of the following zone changes initiated by
the Planning Commission:.
Rezoning the area presently zoned O -A (Open Area
District) contiguous to the. Bayshore Highway;
generally located between Colorado Avenue and San
Antonio Road, to L-M:S (Limited Manufacturing Dis--
trict:withSpecial Parking Regulations), M -1:S.
(Light Industrial District with Special Parking
-Regulations.) and M -2:S (General Industrial Dis-
trict -with Special Parking Regulations).
b. Rezoning the area generally located in the: vicinity
of Matadero Canal, Loma Verde Avenue,`Louls Road and
Ross, -Road, from R -1:A (Single Family Residence.=ltgiri
culturalDistrict) to R-1 (Single Family Residence
D3stri,ct.)..
Rezoningof the area generally locat.ed;on Louis Road
northwestHot Dry, Creek from.R-3-G (Residential Gar-
den Apartment. District) to R -1:B-7 (Single Pami.ly.
Residence Distri chi with 7,000 sq. ft. Tot size)
Rezoning property,at 3210 Middlefield Road from R-1
(Single Family Residence District) to R':3 -P (Rest -
dent -Sal -Professional District).
Rezoning the area generally located on the easterly
side of San AntoninRoad and north of Middlefield-
Road from L-M:S :D . (Limited Manufacturing District
with Speci:al:, Parking Regulations) to M -_1:S (Might
.Industrial -District with Special Parking Regulations)
Zoning of the "El Camino Real Annexation No.:. 2" area
in the fcoll.owing districts: C -3:S (General Com-
mercialDistrict with Special- Parking; Regulatiions)
for all -the area except for one parcel facing Monroe
Drive,, to be zoned R -1:B-8 (Single'Family-Residence
District.with 8,000 sq. ft. lot size).
Rezoning the area generally located on the south side
of Lambert Avenue, without frontage on "E1. Camino
Real,, from -C-3:S (General Co.nmercial District: with
Special Parking Regulations) to M -1:S: (Light Indus
trial District ,faith: Special Parking Regulations)...
Rezoning -:the area bounded by El Camino Real,
cadero Road and the Southern Pacific . Rai.'lroad "(corn-
,.` monly known as the flown and Country , Vi l lage) . from
M -1:S (Light :Industrial District with Special Parking;
` Regulations) and from C -3:S (General. Comrercial Dis-
,trictwith"Special Parking Regulations) to C. -2:S
(Central Business District with Special Parking
Regulations).
i. Rezonin sections of Greenmeadow
the subdivisions of Greenmeadon
No.. 1 and Greenmeadow No. 2 presently zoned'R- ,..8:_A!-8:A
(Single.:Rami'ly Residence District. 8,000 sq.. ft. lot I
area and Agricultural Regulations) to R -1:B-8 (Single]
Family Residence District with 8,000 sq.. ft. lot !
size). 1
On motion of Mitchell and Porter, ordinances providing 1
for the zone changes as recommended were accepted for. first reading.
Changes in Fire Districts
A proposed ,ordinance incorporating the proposed zone
changes"above referred to in appropriate fire districts, and
establishing fire districts in`: the `,E1 Camino Real Annexation No.
1" area,, was introduced On motion of Mitchell and Drysdale., this
'ordinance was accepted for first reading.
Withdrawal of Annexed Area from Fremont Fire District
Resolution No 2630 ;withdrawing the area designated; as
"El Canino'".Real Annexation 'No. 2`.' from the Fremont Fire District,
was introduced, and: on motion of'-Byxbee and Marshall, was adopted
bw unanimous vote on roll call.-
Hearing on -Public Nuisance (Renorst Building)
Resolution No '2631setting a public hearing on. July 25,
1955, at which Mrs; Velma-Rehorst should show cause why the
building. at High Street. should not be declared a public nui-
sance was introduced
The City -Attorney reported. that the condition of this
building is it violation `of the Building Code and the Fire Pre-
vention Code, -and, that'theFire Department and Building Inspector
have been atUempting:'to correct the, situation; that Mrs. Rehorst
has stated that:she,expects to dispose of the property by Julr
lst, and that if. the -building is ,demolished by the time of the
hearing the proceedings can be dropped
On notion of Rodgers and Byxbee, the resolution setting
the public rearing on the matter for July 25, 1955, was adopted
by unanimous vote. on roll call
Closing Portion Greer Road and Abandonment of Easements
Resolution No. 2632 of Intention to close and abandon a
portion of Greer Road in'Tract No.1556, Royal Manor, setting
July 25, 195.5, as date of hearing;on'the matter, was introduced,
and on motion of Porter and Hanley, was adopted by unanimous vote
on roll call.
Resolution No .2633 of Intention to close and abandon
portions of sanitary sewer easements in Tract No. 1556, Royal
Manor, was introduced, and on motion of Porter and Hanley, was
adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. This resolution also pro-
vides for a hearing to be held on the matter on July 25, 1955.
Stop Signs .Willow' Road and Arboretum Road
A proposed ordinance establishing arterial stop signs on
portions of Willow Road and Arboretum Road was accepted for first
reading.
Limited Parking Zones
A proposed .ordinance amending the Limited Parking Zones
Map, restricting:traffic on the' westerly side of Middlefield Road
near the Elwoo'd.P. Cubberley High School, was accepted for first
reading.
Rezoning Hospital Area
0rdinanoe.No. 1618, rezoning the Palo Alto Hospital area:.
on:Quarry Road from C-3 to R-1 was introduced, and on motion of
Wickett and Drysdale, was; adopted as an emergency ordinance by
unanimous vote on roll. call
Animal Shelter Fees
Ordinance No: 1619 amending Section 1$.17 of Codified
Ordinance No. 5 establishing` Animas.: S1.ielter Fees, was given second
reading, and on .motion Of Porter and Marshall, was adopted by
unanimous vote on roll; Bali .
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Parking Meter Limit (Hamilton and Bryant)
Ordinance No. 1620:amending Ordinance No,. 1432 estab-
lishing Parking MeterZones-, to change the two teeters in front:
of the Library on Hamilton Avenue from two-hour limit to 2k-
minute,limit, was: given second reading, and on motion of Hanley
and Drysdale, was.adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.
Fire insurance
'For the information of the Council, a report was made
by Councilman Mitchell, Chairman of Committee No. 3; advising
the Council that the.eommittee has approved a proposal for a
five-year coverage for fire insurance which will result in a re-
duction -of premium for the City.
Transfers of Funds
A report was received from Committee No. 3 recommending
that the following transfers of funds be authorized:
a ,$1525.51 from the unappropriated balance -of the
General.- Fund to Account 905-99 for the installa-
tion of a drainage pump at the airport.
b.. $50,000.00 from the Hospital Improvement Fund to
the 'Hospital Construction Fund - 1955' to. set .up
financing for architect's expense, to be returned
to the Hospital Improvement Fund on sale -of the
bonds.
c. $11,622.13 from the Plaza Fund to the General Fund,
to close out the unused Plaza Fund.
On motion'of Mitchell and Rodgers, these transfers were
authorized by unanimous vote on roll call.
Closing .of Accounts
A report was submitted by Committee No. 3 recommending
that the Controller be authorized to tr.ake the necessary transfers
within and between depart.tnental budgets, to transfer utility fund
balances to the: General Fund and cake necessary journal entries
to close accounts for, the fiscal year, and to transfer additienal
funds to reserves.
On motion of Mitchell and Drysdale, the recommendation
was adopted -by unanimous vote on roll call.
Uncompleted Projects and Reaporooria.tion of Funds
A report was reoeived from Committee No. 3 recomtending.
that uncompleted projects for which appropriations were made in -
the i951-55..budget be,approved for completion, that the :.new bud
get.:.include a; reappropriation of funds needed to complete: such'.
projects, and that the Council authorize the continuation of the
work and the expenditure of ;funds for these oro Jecto. during , t ie
period from;;the expiration of the current budget to the adoption
of the new budget.
•C.n motion of Mitchell and Drysdale, the recommendations
were adopted by: unanimous vote on roll call.
Mayor Simpson called attention to the fact that: th:1s
its the last Meeting of the fiscal year 1954-55 and the last meeting
of the present City Council. He expressed appreciation for the
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splendid relationship and support during the pant year, and paid
tribute to the four council `members who are leaving the Council,
Messrs:. Cashel, Hanley, Huston and in'ickett .
The meeting was declared adjourned at 9:35 P.M.
APPROVED:
ATTEST :
Ci v Clerk