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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03261956403 City Hall, Palo Alto, California March 26, 1956 The Council of the City of Palo Alto net in regular ses- sion on this date at 7:30 P.M. , with Vice Mayor Marshall presiding. Roll call ' as: follows : Present: Byxbee, Cresap, Cummings, Davis, Giffin, Mar- shall, Navis, Rodgers,-quppenthal, Simpson. Absent: Bishop, Corcoran, Drysdale, Mitchell, Porter. The minutes of the meeting of March 12, 1956,.sere ap- proved. Electrical Code - -The hearing on. -the proposed adoption of the National Elec- t:ieal Code, .1953 Edition, with certain amendments, had been. contin ued to•this date. At the request of the special committee which is consider ins the proposed amendments, and on motion of Rodgers and Ruppen- thal,, the matter was continued to the next regular meeting on April 9, 1956. Northern County Office and Court Building Mr., Stanley Evans addressed the Council in behalf of the Palo Alto Bar Association, requesting that the Council urge the Board Of Supervisors to proceed with the construction of the north- ern county office and court building. He called attention to the urgent need for county office and court facilities in the northern part of the County, and'to the fact that the County has purchased property in Palo Alto on which to construct the building. He point- ed out that when the County submitted bond issues to the voters in 1955 for a Juvenile Hala and other projects, it was understood that if the bonds were passed, other funds would be released for the con- struction of the northern county building; that recently the County has made a're-appraisal of its finances and has determined that the bond funds will tot be sufficient to build the Juvenile Hall because the estimates were far too low, and that the general funds previous- ly allocated for the northern county building will have to be used to help make up the deficit; and the construction of the county building for this area deferred to some later time.' Mr. Evans read a proposed resolution which the Bar Association requested be adopted by the Council and transmitted to the Board of Supervisors, Urging the Board to proceed promptly with all steps necessary for the de- sign and construction of s northern county office and court build- ing. Mr. John Donegan also spoke to the Council on this sub ject, as a representative of the Chamber of Commerce, concurring in Mr. Evans' statements. (Councilwoman Corcoran came at this time, 7:45 p.m., and was present for the rest of the meeting.) A motion was made by Rodgers, seconded by Simpson, that the resolution be adopted. After discussion, it was moved by Navis, seconded by Cresap, that the resolution be amended to include a statement that the Council urges the Board of Supervisors to proceed with the construction of the northern county office and court build- ing with moneys from the general fund as was originally contemplated when the bond issues for other projects were passed by the voters in 1955, and that if additional funds are necessary for the Juvenile Home they should be obtained by another bond Issue and not by use of general fund moneys. The amendment was carried. The resolution as amended -(Resolution No. 2718) was then adopted by unanimous vote on roll ca1.l. 404 Legislation on Planning The Council received copies of resolutions adopted by the Santa Clara County Board,of Supervisors and the Santa Clara County Planning Commission favoring the passage of Assembly Bill No. 3 (Senate Bill No. 18) establishing an.Official State Office of Plan- ning. The Planning.Of:ficer explained the provisions of the bill and urged the.Council to go on record as favoring this legislation. He advised that the State Senate'is considering the bill this week. On motion of Byxbee and Cummings, the City Manager was au thorized to contact the senator from this district and urge him to vote for the passage of the bill. Pinball Machines Letters were received from Rev. Robert J. Hawthorne, Asso- ciate Minister of the First Methodist Church, and from Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Crary, Co -Leaders of the Epworth Fellowship of the First Meth- odist Church, urging the passage of an ordinance prohibiting pinball lmachines. These letters were referred'to Committee No. 3, which now has the question under study. Hydrant Rental Rates A letter was received from the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Barron ?ark Fire Protection District submitting argument; against the increase in hydrant rental rates, and asking that this matter be reconsidered by the Council. (On January 9, 1956, the Council directed that the hydrant rental for outside districts be in- creased from $3.00 to $6.00 per hydrant per month, to be effective July 1, 1956.) Reference was made to a report prepared by H. L. May., Chief Engineer of the Water -Gas -Sewer Department, dated March 21, 1956, reviewing in general the development of the Barron Park Fire Protection District area.and commenting on the various points made - in the protest filed by the District against the increase in the hy- drant rental charge. Copies of Mr. May's report had been distribut- ed to all council members. It was,moved by Naviz and seconded that the Council uphold its previous action with regard to the increase to hydrant rental rate; for outside districts. It was explained that the increase had been based ^r a cost study "lade last year. In reply to a request .from Mrs. Corcoran for clarification of the charges for hydrant rental inside the City, the A.s start to the City Manager explained that there is an inter -budgetary figure in the budgets of the Fire Department and the Water Department each year to cover hydrant rental service. After a brief discussion, the motion to uphold the previ- ous action was carried. Mrs. Corcoran stated that the communication from the Bar- ron Park Fire Protection District raised some question regarding the- adequacy of the mains serving the hydrants, and she asked that this matter be referred, to Committee No. 1 and the Engineering Depart- ment.' The Vice Mayor pointed out that this question was answered in Mr. May's report of March 21, 1956. Project _54-8, Street Lii,htin Reconstruction Upon recommendation of the City Manager and City Engineer., and on, motion of Rodgers and Ryuppenthal, the time for cash payments; of astsezements under Project 5-8, Street Lighting Reconstruction, District III, was extended` to April 22%x, .1956. -77 405 Bids or Service'Buildings in Mitchell Park A report was received from the City Manager on - bids re- ceived on March 16,• 1956, for the construction of service'buildings in Mitchell Park-, With the recommendation that the bid of the Lind- ley Construction Company in the amount of $29,442.00 be accepted. On motion of Byxbee and Nevis, and by unanimous vote on roll call, this bid was accepted and the Mayor was authorized to sign the contract for the work. Bids for Slope Protection, San Francisauito Creek A report was also received from the City Manager on bids. received on March -23, 1956, for the slope protection of a portion oil San Francisquito Creek, with the recommendation that the alternate i bid of H. T. Guerin for sacked concrete riprap, in place, at $1.50 per square foot with an estimated total cost of $18,150.00, be ac- cepted. It was explained that this work is to be done by the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, and will be paid for by County funds. On motion of Byxbee and Nevis, and by unanimous vote on roll call, the bid was accepted as recommended and the Mayor was auel thorized to sign the contract. Transfers of Funds It was recommended by the City Manager that the following transfers of funds be authorized: (1) $23,000.00 from the unappro- priated balance of the General Fund to Account 132B (Street.Depart- ment Materials and Supplies); (2) $5,000.00 from Account 149A (Park Department Salaries) to Account 132A (Street Department Salaries). It was explained that the transfer to Account 132B is nee essary because of heavy expenses during the December --floods, and that the transfer to Account 132A is necessary because of charges ' made against. the Street Department by Park Department personnel dur ing the flood. 'The Council was informed that the City expects to b reimbursed for these expenses from civil defense funds. On. motion of Byxbee and Ruppontha1, the transfers Were au- thorized by unanimous vote on roll call. Arterial Stop Sign on Castille,la Avenue A 'proposed ordinance, recommended by the Traffic Commit- tee, establishing an arterial stop sign on Castilleja Avenue at f.ts intersection with -Park. Boulevard, stopping southbound Castilleja Avenue traffic:, was accepted for first reading. Pedestrian -Crosswalks on Alma Street Councilman Cummings asked f.f the Traffic Committee.has come toany conclusion in regard to establishing pedestrian cross- wa..lks•cn Alma. Street, particularly at bus stops. The Planning Officer reported that the question is being studied by the Traffic Committee. Parkin Pro ram in MideTown Area Zone hange pp scat on . E. area) The Council gave further consideration to the parking problem in the Mid -Town area and to the application of G. E.' Carey for the rezoning of certain property northeast of Middlefield Road. in Tract 1150. The Planning Officer reported that the rezoning in- volves traffic circulation and the need for additional off-street parking. He advised that a compromise solution has been worked'out regarding the parking problem, to which most of the people concerned agree. 40t3 Mr. Carey addressed the Council on the matter, and present= ecl a petition signed .by four of the six property owners affected, re- questing that the City form an assessment district for the purpose of acquiring a certain arcel of land owned by Mr. Carey, which he has agreed to, sell for 137,400.00, for use as a parking lot. The petitioners agreed tothe assessment district on the basis that there will be unmetered free public parking on the lot and that the City would take care of all maintenance of the lot; also that the "a" Zone be removed from their property. The petitioners further asked that the assessment be limited to a principal amount not to exceed $100.00 pet front foot for their holdings on Middlefield Road and Colorado Avenue. In speaking in support of his application for a change of zone, Mr. Carey advised that he first made the application in 195.: and would,llke to have.action on the matter so he can proceed with the. development of his property. He pointed out that his request is: for R-4 zoning, while the Planning Commission has recommended rezon- ing the area in question' to R -3-P. It was explained that the sane uses are permitted'in both districts, but that the R-4 zone allows greater coverage of the area. The Planning Officer submitted a map showing the property proposed for acquisition as a parking lot, and suggested that if the Council approves the proposal, the area be rezoned to C-2, and also that the two parcels facing ';olorado Avenue which abut the proposed parking ' lOt be re'.coned from R-2 to C-2. During the discussion which followed, Mrs. Corcoran re- marked that the Carey property would be a desirable location for a central library. It was moved by Ruppenthal, seconded by 3yxbee, and car- • ried that the Council. -go on record as favoring the formation of an. assessment district'as proposed by the property owners, and that the City Attorney be instructed to prepare the necessary resolutions' -to initiate the proceedings. A motion was made by--N'avis, seconded by Cresap, that the recommendation of the Planning Commission be upheld and the Carey property be rezoned to R-3-?. 'After further discussion, in which it was suggested that the zoning question .be given more study by a council committee and by Mr. Carey, a proposed ordinance rezoning the property fro R-2 to R -3 -? was accepted for first reading, with the understanding that the matter will be referred to Committee -No. 1 for further study. As to the two lots on Colorado Avenue abutting the p:o- poeed parking lot, the Planning Officer advised that he would refer the question of rezoning these particular lots to the Planning Com- mission. (The Council took a recess at this time, 8:55 P.M., andreconvened at 9:05 P.M.) Redevelopment Study, University Avenue and Circle Area The Assistant to the City Manager reported that the staff has undertaken a study of, the parking and traffic situation for the lower University Avenue area, as instructed by the Council, and that. Mr. Ernest J. Kump has been retained to assist the staff in redevel- opment plans for the area; that the report on these studies will not be ready until the April 23rd Council meeting. It was pointed out that the hearing on Off -Street Parking Project 52-13 Is scheduled for April 9, 1956, and could be continued if the Council wishes un- til the report is submitted on April 23rd. East Meadow Drive Crossing Resolution No. 2719, authorizing the submission of a re- quest to the Public Utilities Commission for allocation of funds from the Crossing Protection Furd for the protection of the crossing at ...-,.er -...w,f `A•'f..� �� . ,,.. r,e':h'N ,5f,•• .r^•,y`,PS` w-..«.�.�„w .. —�.-- _ ,..- �.+. rw - - - ......r...... -- -^ti 407 East Meadow Drive over the Southern Pacific railroad tracks, was in- troduced, and on motion of Rodgers and Ruppenthal, was adopted'by u- nanimous vote on roll call. Parking Meter Rates,, Block 29 Parking Lot A proposed ordinance amending Ordinance No., 1432, estab- lishing parking meter rates in the Hamilton Avenue parking,lot (Block 29), was accepted for first reading. It was explained that after a period of experiment, the staff has recommended that the parking time limit on this lot be fixed at five hours, the rate to be five cents per hour and the meters to be set to take pennies or nickels. Amendments to Fire Zone Map A proposed ordinance amending the Fire Zone Map of the CI- , ty of Palo Alto to establish .a fire zone in Stanford Annexation No. 4 was accepted for first reading. The Council also accepted for first reading a proposed or- dinance amending the Fire Zone Map to establish a fire zone for the P -C Zone at the intersection of 3ayshore Highway and Amarillo Aver Ordinance Calling Election on Bond Issues Ordinance No. 1676 was introduced, entitled "An Ordinance •Calling a Special Election in the City of Palo Alto for the Purpose of Submitting to the Electors of said City Certain Propositions to Incur Bonded Indebtedness -of said City for the Acquisition, Con- - struction and Completion of the following Municipal Improvements, tol wit: (1) Sewer Collection and Treatment System; (2) Electric Dis- tr ibution System;- (3) Storm Sewer and Drainage System; (4) A Main Lir brary and -Branch Library; (5) Public Parks, Playgrounds and Recrea- tional Centers; Declaring the Estimated Cost of said Municipal- m- provements, the Amount of Principal of the Indebtedness to be In— . curred therefor, the Maximum Rate of Interest to be paid thereon; Fixing the Date of said Election, the Manner of holding the same and providing for Notice thereof." Councilman Cummings questioned the use of the word "con- : pletion" in the wording of the bond propositions, pointing out that the amount of money to be raised by some of the proposed bond issues will not be sufficient to carry out 'al the projects contemplated w.n the capital improvement program. Mrs. Corcoran called attention to a statement she made at the last meeting concerning clarification cf' the financing of the park and recreation program when -the bond. issue is submitted, so that the voters would not be misled into thinking that the bond issue is the total amount to be spent on parks and reoe reation. The City Attorney advised that the Council may spend any additional funds; that the word'"comp1etior" does not preclude -the , Council from using further funds from other sources.. Several coon- oil members expressed the view that the wording cf the bond proposi-! ;tions.is satisfactory and legally correct. • It was pointed out that the public should be made aware of l the fact that a -Tong range program is Involved and will be financed c by other funds ir. addition to the bond money;; that publicity on the bond issues should make it clear that the amount of the bond issues is not the total cost of the- entire program. On motion of Ruppenthal and Simpson, Ordinance No. '1676 'calling a ? nom] was c�.�.l �rg the special election .on the bond propositions adopted 'ay� unaninsous vote -on roil call. Resolution No. 2720, requesting the Board of Supervisors to provide for the consolidation of the special bond election with the State and County Primary Election to be held on June 5, 1956, 'was introduced., , an . d on motion of Simpson and Navin, was-adopted..by unani.t:Ous vote on roll call. .M. 408 Claim for Damages A report was received from the C'.`.y Attorney on the- claim. filed by Elizabeth Balbo in the -amount of $500.00 for injuriessus- tained on December 19, 1955, when she slipped and fell or the .side- walk it front of 301 University Avenue, The City Attorney advised that he had investigated the matter and -finds that ::o hazardous con- dition existed at the place'where the in;ury occurred; however, the sidewalk was wet as a result of. recent rain. He advised that in :nis opinion there is no liability on the part of the City. 0n motion of Byxbee and Rupperthal, the report of the City Attorney was accepted and the claim denied. Rodgers asked that the record show that he did not vote on the motion. There being no further business to come before the ColAr.cil, the meeting was declared adjourned at 9:25 —P.M. ATTEST':