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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05281956City Hall, Palo Alto, California May 28, 1956 lion on call as S The Council of the. City of Palo Alto met in regular ses.- this date at 7:30 P.M., with Mayor Porter presiding. Roll follows: Present: Bishop, Byxbee, Cresap, Cummings, Drysdale-, Giffin, Marshall, Mitchell, Navis, Porter., Rodgers, Simpson. Absent: Corcoran, Davis, Ruppenthal. The minutes of the meeting of May 14, 1956, wereapproved. ale of Hospital Bonds of 1955, Series "A" A.report was received on the bids received at 4:00 P.M. on this date for the sale of $1,000,000 City of Palo Alto Hospital Bonds of 1955,, -Series "A" , as follows: Net Interest Rates • Bidders California Bank Bache & Co. Braun, Bosworth & Co., Inc: Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis Gregory & Sons J. C. Bradford & Co. Baxter, Williams & Co. American Trust Company Bacon, Stevenson & Co. Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust.Co. of Chicago Dwinnell,:Harkness & Co., Inc Kaiser & Co Lawson, Levy & Williams J. Earle May & Co. Hill, Richards & Co. Salomon Bros. & Hutzler Shearson, Hammill & Co. Weeden & Co. • Kuhn, Loeb & Co. Equitable Securities Corp. City National Bank & Trust Co., Kansas City J. P. Morgan & Co., Inc. Kidder, Peabody & Co. Ira Haupt & Co. W. H. Morton & Co., Inc. and Associates Blyth & Co., Inc. R. H. Moulton & Company The Northern Trust Co. Security -First National Bank of Los Angeles Halsey, Stuart & Co., Inc. Goldman, Sachs & Co. White, Weld & Co. John Nuveen & Co. Fred D. Blake & Co. M1 JM�Y'i^i'(�(± Alternate A (Non -Callable) 2.45377 % 2.4565 2.46944 2.47756 2.4875 2.49751 2.52439 2.5261 Alternate B (Callable) No bid • 2.4953 2.46944 2.48194 No bid 2.56347 2.57008 2.5355 440 Bidders Bank of America and Associates The Bank of California,, Agent for Laidlaw & Co. and Associates F. S. Smithers & Co. Wood, Struthers & Co. First National Bank of Chicago 2.553501 No bid The: Milwaukee .Company Burns, Corbett'& Pickard, Inc. Hannaford & Talbot A motion was made by,Cummings, seconded by Mitchell, that the low bid on Alternate A, for,non-callable bonds, from the Califor- nia Bank and Associates, be accepted, and that Resolution No. 2731 providing for the sale of the bonds to the California Bank and Asso ciates in accordance with their proposal be adopted. The resolution was'adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. Net Interest Rates Alternate A (Non -Callable) 2.5305 % 2.536 Alternate B (Callable) 2.5305 No bid 2.547217 2.55304 Board of Hospital Directors The Mayor asked for the Council's approval of the follow- ing appointments to the Board of Hospital Directors, to represent the City on the Board, in accordance with the agreement between the . City and Stanford University for operation of the Palo Alto -Stanford Hospital Center: Mr. Paul J. Huston, Mr. John V. Beahrs, Mr. Henry L. McIntyre, and Mr. Herbert A, Nevis. On motion of Mitchell, duly seconded, these appointments were approved. (Councilwoman Corcoran came at this time and was present for the rest of the meeting.) Project 52-1 ,, Off -Street Parking, University Avenue District The Mayor and Councilman Cummings, Chairman of Committee No. 2, reported that the council members have held informal discus- sions on parking problems in the 52-13 district since the last Coun- cil meeting. Mr. Cummings Called attention to the plan presented at the last meeting by interested:property owners in the district who favor'. the development of interior"rear door" parking lots in five blocks' in the area boundedby Alma and. Ramona Streets and Lytton and Hamil- ton Avenues. He moved adoption of this proposal as a basic ;plan, the' lots to be developed gradually as negotiations are worked out with the .owners of the affected parcels,of property. Mr.. Cummings. suggested that the first lots to be acquired be the lot on the north- easterly side of High.Street between University and Hamilton, extend- ing through to Emerson Street, and the lot on the northeasterly side of Emerson Street between University and Hamilton. The motion to adopt the basic plan;was seconded' by Mitchell. There was considerable discussion, and the following views were expressed by council members Cresap: Would be in favor of taking parcels on High Street but would not: favor extending the lot through from High to Em erson; would,favor taking a larger lot on northeast side of Emerson, Byxbee: Suggested serious consideration be given to taking the lot on the northeast side of Emerson, from the rear of the bank to the Pacific Stores. 441 Drysdale: Favored taking the lot on northeast side. of Emerson if it is of adequate size. Thought parking was needed in that area more than in the area nearer Alma Street. He approved certain aspects of the proposal made by Mr. Cum- mings that negotiations be entered into with the property owners concerned and the lots developed on a graduated basis. Navis: Suggested the setting of a firm policy be delayed. Favored acquiring the lot on the northeast side of Emerson and the lot on High Street, but thought the rest of the pro- posal should be explored further. Mitchell: Stated that he seconded Mr. Cummings' motion as he feels. it is important to fix the policy now, and develop as much as possible from year to year. Mrs. Corcoran: Was in agreement with the plan for interior parking in general. Favored taking the lot on the northeast side of Emerson Street because she felt a parking lot is need-( ed in that area. She thought a lot large enough for a multi -story building should be considered, as it might be desirable later to provide such a building. Bishop: Favored adopting the complete plan now and developing it.iri stages. Giffin: Read a prepared statement in support of the Circle plan as opposed to the interior plan. Rodgers: Favored apractical solution which will provide more park -1 ing. Marshall: Stated that he will vote for Mr. Cummings' motion. Simpson: No comment. Opportuni;,y was given to people in the audience,to speak. Mr. W, K. Thoits stated that the property owners who developed:the interior of the block plan had proposed that the lot on: High Street be extended through to Emerson because of the problem of getting in and out of the lot; he thought the property owners on the west side of Emerson Street would not object :f the lot were enlarged. Mr. Ray-Rohrs, operator of the Clothes Closet, pointed out the need for parking and stated that it is not possible to get a unanimous opinion from the property owners, but that in his opin- ion it is the responsibility of the Council to make a decisicnand get the project settled. Mr. Earle Smith submitted information on the study made by property owners and stated that the interior.rear door plan they presented was based on advice they received from ex- perts. After further discussion, the motion made by Cummings eras reworded to state that the plan of working toward the acquisition and development of interior back -door lots in each of the five blocks be adopted in principle. The motion was carried by the fol- lowing vote on roll call: Ayes: Bishop, Corcoran, Cummings, Drysdale, Marshall, Mitchell, Porter, Rodgers. Noes:' Byxbee, Cresap, Giffin, Navis. Simpson was absent during the roll call. A motion was then made by Byxbee, and seconded, that the property on the easterly side of Emerson Street between the bank building and. the Pacific Stores, being approximately 200 feet of frontage on Emerson Street,, be approved for acquisition as a parkin lot and added to the project. The motion was passed by .vote on rol roll call. call, with-II:Ayes,- Giffin voting No. Simpson was absent during th 44 .(The Council -took a;rec-ess.at this time, 9:00 P.M., and reconvened at 9:15 F.M., with the un- derstandingthatother items on the agenda would= be considered and.the parking project would.be given. further. discussion later in the meeting.) Extension of Louis Read via. Montrose Avenue A request was received from repidents of Charleston Gar- dens for permission to appear before the Council at this time con- cerning the renaming of Montrose.Avenue and the extension of Louie Road via Montrose.Avenue.to connect with Middlefield Road. Their- spokesman, Mrs..R. C. Locke, read'a,statement requesting that the: ex- tension of Louis, Road to Middlefield Road be reconsidered, and sub- witted a petition with;188 signatures opposing the plan to extend; Louis Road via Montrose: Avenue because of the traffic hazard which they felt.would;be ereatedeeeThey,suggested that Louis Road be ter- minated at Charleston: Road at a: point some distance from Montrose_ Avenue. `Mrs. Locke submitted a,letter from Henry M. Gunn, Superin tendent-of.Schools, stating that in his opinion it would be wiser planning to have Louis Road enter Charleston Road at a location which does not coincide with Montrose Avenue, in the interests of: the school children in the areas The City Attorney advised that the Council has already ap- proved,.the final map of a new unit of Meadowpark subdivision which provided for the extension of Louis Road to connect directly with Montrose Avenue. Councilman Bishop stated that he has been informed; that the subdivider may be willing to reconsider a rerouting of the street. A letter was also received from F. B. Fank, 767 Montrose Avenue, objecting to the extension of Louis Road and asking that a change be made to,provide a safer traffic situation. report. The matter was referred to Committee No. 1 for study and Filling in Wooster Canal A letter was received from Albert Turkel and Harry R. Slatt asking for title to the land over the Wooster Canal and ap- proximately,30 feet on.each side of the Canal, being part of Lots 67 and 68, Wooster Subdivision, subject to an easement of 20 feet over the Canal. In return for title to the land, they agree to fill in the CaLa1 and install a concrete sewer pipe to the satisfaction and requirements of the City Engineer. The Citee Manager advised that it has been the policy in the past, in similar cases, to authorize the filling in of the Ca- nal and to grant a limited title:to the property. Upon his recom- mendation, the request wasereterred to the City Engineer for report and recommendation at the elext meeting. Cancellation of Taxes on State property A letter was received from the State Division of Highways requesting cancellation of the 1956-57,and subsequent taxes on land acquired by the State, from. Joseph T. Eichler for purposes of a free- way and adjacent frontage road, and asking that this property be re moved from the assessment`rolis.' The property involved is Lot 23, Block 3, Tract No. 1641, Edgewood. On motion of Nevis and Bishop, the cancellation of taxes was authorized and the Assessor was directed to remove this property from the tax rolls. Memorial Day Services A communication was received. from the United Veterans' Alp As 44.3 Council inviting members of the City Council to attend the, annual Me- morial Day .services to: -beheld on May 30th at 10:00 k..M:. in front of the Veterans' Building: The.Mayor announced that Councilman Giffin will represent the Council on this occasion. Palo Alto Military Academy Graduation An invitation -was extended to Council members to attend the graduation exercises at' the Palo Alto Military Academy on Sunday June 10, 1956-, at 2:00 P.M. Train Whistles A letter was received from Albert F. Smith, 2825 Ramona Street, requesting the Council to pass an ordinance restricting the blowing of train whistles- within the City. The:City Attorney advised that he has looked into this :question and found that the blowing of train whistles at crossings is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission and the Interstate Commerce Commission; and that he -feels it would be impossible to a- :dopt an ordinance -that would have any practical effect; that the Southern Pacific Company has stated that when complaints are brought ;to their attention, they will:investigate and attempt to eliminate any unnecessary whistles or any specific violations. On motion ofNavis and Cresap, the City Attorney was re- quested to bring.Mr. Smith's complaint to the attention of the Southern Pacific, Financial Report A letter was received from Stephanie Casaurang, President of the Palo Alto Citizens' Association, concerning their request for a copy of the annualfi`nancial report for the year ending June 30, 1955. She stated thata request from this organization for the fi- nancial report wa-s answered with a copy of the Controller's Report `for June 30,:19555, which they felt did not comply with the provision of the Charter requiring the Council to publish an annual financial report. and make it available to taxpayers. They renewed their re- quest for a copy of the annual financial report for the year ending June 30, 1955. Councilman Drysdale called attention to a request of Com- mittee No. 3 some ago that the City Attorney furnish an opinion as to whether or not the Council has complied with the Charter in re spect to publishing an annual financial report. The City Attorney :advised that he is looking into the matter and will have a report in the very near future. Councilman Byxbee pointed out thatevery year in the past, with the exception -of this past year, the City has issued some type of annual report, - and° he -thought that some report should be pub- lished every year. ° The City Manager advised that the staff has been :working on a .five-year report for publication, but that the report Mr. Byxbee refers to is not a financial report. `TheController.stated that the report sent to Mrs. 'Casau- rang was the yearly-. report' prepared in his office for the year end- ing June 30, 1955. He was requestedby the Council to contact. Mrs. Casaurang and explain the situation to her. Field Ambulance Service A •letter was received from Moerdyke, Anderson, Evana- & Rhodes, attorneys for the Field Ambulance Service, concerning:the suspension of- arrangements whereby this company would be on first :call for -the Police: Department on alternate months, and :requesting an opportunity ,to address :the. Council -or an appropriate,.committep at the earliest possible date:on the 'natter which they believe involves questionsof City po1iey4. 444 The City Attorney advised that in his opinion this is an, administrativematterand he recommended it be referred to the City; Manager as it involves: one of the department heads under the Manag- er. Mr. Stanley Evans requested permission to speak to the Council on the matter at this time, but he was asked to take it up with the City Manager. It was understood there would be no further discussion of the question by the Council until it has been consid- ered by the City Manager, and then if no satisfactory solution is reached, the matter may come before the Council again. Adobe Creek The City Manager stated that there seems to be some misun- derstanding regarding the status of Adobe Creek and asked the City Engineer to explain the situation. The City Engineer advised that Adobe Creek is within the Santa. Clara County Flood Control District and that plans for improvement of Adobe Creek and other creeks in -- the district have been completed, and the improvements will be:fi nanced by funds' to` be`raieed=by a bond issue to be submitted by the. Santa Clara:County.Flood Control District in September. The City. Engineer stated.-that'neaeseary repairs` to the creek banks and levees will be made before the next rainy season. The .City Manager suggested that any property owners or residents who have questions, about the creek situation should con- tact the City Engineer,• that it is the City's intention that Adobe Creek be in order before the winter rains. He stated that it is his: understanding that the City will construct sixteen new tide gates at the flood basin before the winter season, which will help the situa- tion. The City Manager:als.o pointed out the importance of passing the County bond' issue for flood control which will be voted on in September. Traffic Award of Merit` The City Manager reported that Palo Alto was one of four cities in th'e United States to receive an award of merit from the National Safety Council for its traffic safety program in 1955. Lease of Flood Basin The City .Manage.r reported that the present lease of the flood basin land;for faring purposes will expire soon. On motion of Byxxbee and Rodgers, the -,City ;Manager was authorized to call for bids on a new lease for the flood 'basin area. Bids on Additions to, Junior Museum A report was made- by the City Manager on the bids received on this date for the.conetruction of additions to the Junior Museum,; with the recommendation that the base bid of the low bidder, Aro & Okerman, in the amount of4l6,000'.:00, be accepted, and that any ad ditidnal`funds'required forthis work over the amount in the current budget be included in7the next' -budget'. On motion of Cummings,:duly seconded, the recommendations of the City Manager were adopted;, and the Mayor was authorized to sign:the contract with'Aro & Okerman. Building Consultant-f-or`Hospital The CityManage;r advised that it is the recommendation of the. City and Stanford hospital:committees that a professional con- tractor be retained Immediate y to act as a building consultant for the Cityand the University on the Palo Alto -Stanford Hospital proj- ect.. The building consultant would review plans and cost estimates with the architect, 'rind. 'would . advise' the architect on the use of ma terial's and cost -saving' method's . The City Manager stated that the fee to be paid to the building; consultant during the preconstruction period wOulclyprobablybe:314 of one per cent of the construction cost. He advised' that: if'` the Council and the Stanford Board of Trustees:wis.hed: to'havethe building consultant act as their agent. during the total construction --period, he would handle sub -bids and supervision and there:would be no general contractor;:ifat the end of the first phases. whia:h' is prior ;:o calling for bids, it was deter - 'mined that a. general; contractor is to be employed, the consultant would be eligible to bid'on the job. On motion of Mitchell and Drysdale, the City Manager was authorized to interview various contractors for this position -of building.consultant and report back to the Council. Project 55-5, Off -Street Parking, California Avenue -.District' Resolution:No. 2732, ratifying correction in Notice of. Sale of the bonds on this project, was introduced, and on motion. of Byxbee'and Mitchell, was --adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. Resolution No, 2733, of preliminary determination and of intention to make changes and modifications, Project 55-5, was'in- troduced,,and;on motion of Byxbee and Mitchell, was adopted by unani mous vote on roll: call. This resolution provides for a hearing on the matter to be. held on June 11, 1956. Hospital Bonds Ordinance No. 1691, amending Ordinance No. 1683 providing for the issuance of the City of Palo Alto Hospital Bonds of 1955, was introduced, and on motion of Byxbee and Mitchell, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. Amendment to Administrative Code Ordinance No. 1692', amending the Administrative Code by adding a new section to be designated Section 109.x, creating Com- mittee No. 4 of the City Council, was given second reading, and on motion of Mitchell and Byxbee, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. Claim for Damages • A report was received from the City Attorney regarding a claim filed by Mrs. Eleanor Fraser in the sum of $5,000.00 for damagj es sustained --when she fell on the sidewalk near 1910 Newell Road, ad vising that he had investigated the matter and found that the a1.leged defect was not more than 5/8 of an inch in height, and in his opinion there is no liability on the part of the City under such circumstanc, es. It was moved by Byxbee, seconded and carried that the re- port of the City Attorney be accepted and the claim denied. Project 56-7, Middlefield -Colorado Parking District Resolution No. 2734 of Preliminary Determination, Project No. 56-7, Middlefield -Colorado Parking District, was introduced, and on motion of Byxbee and Cummings, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.. This resolution provides for a hearing to be held on Ju- 'ly 9,,1956•. Project 52-13, Off -Street Parking, University Avenue District At this time the Council returned to its consideration. of• :Project 52-13., off-street parking for the University Avenue District between Alma and Ramona Streets. Reference was made to the motion adopted just before the recess earlier during this meeting, approving the acquisition of property for a parking;, lot on the easterly side of Eaerson'Street be -1 tween the bank building and the Pacific Stores. The City Attorney, advised: that this property has not been included in any previous resolution of intention, so':the first step would be the adoption of a resolution of intention to.nodify Project 52-13 to add this area to the district and, set a date tor hearing. A A motion was made by Navis, seconded by Cummings, that the parcels on the northeasterly side of High Street plus four parcels on the southwesterly'side of Emerson Street be also added to the project. Resolution No. 2735 of intention to modify Project 52-13 to include the properties on both sides of Emerson'Street between University and Hamilton, and property on the northeast side of High Street, and setting June'25,'.1956, as date of hearing on the modif!-. cation, was introduced and adopted on roll call, with 11 Ayes, Gif- fin voting No on the motion, and Simpson absent during the roll call,. It was pointed out. that the property on both sides of Uni versity Avenue between Alma and High Streets has been included in the project in a previous resolution of intention to modify. Mr. W. K. Thoits stated to the Council at this time that it was the desire of the property owners that the project include the property in the interiorof the block between High and Emerson Streets, northwest of University Avenue, now occupied by Simpson Mo- tors. A motion by Cummings and Mrs. Corcoran that this property be included in the project was lost. Attention was called to a letter from Jules H. Bernheim, owner of five parcels on University Avenue between Alma and High Streets, stating that either of the parking plans under considera- tion would be acceptable to him, and that he is willing to sell his properties to the City at his actual acquisition cost. Councilman Drysdale made the suggestion that consideration be given to acquiring the entire block bounded by Hamilton, Forest, Emerson, and High, and the entire block bounded by Lytton, Everett, Emerson, and High. He asked the Council to consider the acquisition of these blocks for parking without charge but with an attendant. Golf Course The City Manager requested that the position of Grounds- keeper for the Golf Course, K-17, be established, explaining that.he would ,like to have this classification adopted in advance of the next budget. It -was moved, seconded and carried that this classifi- cation be authorized. The City Manager was authorized to make the necessary study and experiment, regarding the regulations for the golf course 1such as the time when the afternoon rates go into effect. It was;; understood that such detaiis'in the regulations are considered 'to`be' flexible and subject to experiment. There being no further,business to come before the Coun- cil, the meeting was declared adjourned at 10:35 P.M. «% APPROVED,! ATTEST: .1.4%61 ?Xeie‘c eoe Mayor 7