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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08131956484 City Hall, Palo Alto, California August 13, 1956' The Council of the City of Palo Alto met in regular ses- sion on this date at 7:30 P.M., with Mayor Porter presiding. Roll call as follow.: Present: Byxbee, Corcoran, Cresap, Cummings, Davis, Drysdale, Giffin, Marshall, Mitchell, Navis, Porter, Rodgers, Simpson. Absent: Bishop, Ruppenthal. The minutes of the meeting of July 23, 1956, were approved: Project 55-11, Middlefield Road et al. This was the time and place set for a hearing of protests in relation to certain improvements proposed to be constructed. on Middlefield Road and other streets, Project 55-11. A notice of this.; hearing has been published as required by law, and an estimate of the assessments to be levied on each parcel within the district has been sent to the property owners. An explanation of the project was given by the City Engin-e eer before the hearing was opened. He reviewed the etreeta involved' in the project and the improvements proposed, and advised that it estimated that the construction period will require 270 days. He stated that if the ' contract is awarded, as much of the work as pos- sible will be done before winter, and that the work will be pro- grammed 'so that there will be as little as possible open during the rainy season. The City Engineer reported that a protest was received from property owners on Dartmouth Street in College Terrace, object- ing to• the installation of a sidewalk on the west side of the street. Their petition stated that there is very little pedestrian traffic on Dartmouth Street and they feel that a sidewalk on one side of'the street is sufficient, and that there are trees and shrubs on the west side which would have to be removed or destroyed if sidewalks are put in. The City Engineer also reported that a number of property owners on Mayview Avenue have requested that it be developed as a 50 -foot right of way instead of a 60 -foot street as provided in the plans. He recommended that the plans be modified accordingly, and that the present rlght.of way of 50 feet on Mayview Avenue be.re- tained. The Clty C1E:'k reported that no other written protests Ihavebeen received. 1 - • The hearing was declared open. Mr. Paul Griffiths, repre- senting -the Richfield 011 Corporation, which has a lease on the property at the corner of San Antonio Road and Middlefield Road, re- quested that the sidewalks and parking strip along the frontage of their property on Middlefield Road be eliminated from the project un- til such time as the City determines on the development plans for San Antonio Road. Mr. Griffiths stated that his company objected to the construction. of these improvements to a point about the middle of their property as now contemplated in the plans, but would agree to paying for the extension of the sidewalks and parkway along their property when San Antonio Road is improved. Mr. McMurphy, a property owner on Ross Road, asked qu,es- tion.s regarding the basis of assessment, and an explanation of the !assessment procedure was given by the City Engineer. Mr. Jack Witt„ 972 Oregon Avenue, acted as spokesman for a (group of people present to inquire why the street lights and certain 4B �e r of theistract. s �putred the aubd ire aubdf t ee nr,rx�ow put in 1 not put at 0rdtrari tyia . Ca$e feasible:0 eubdivi� n were red trta, but in was tot articular front at1 Cages *ere e in lved..rove�en Avenue t these p being assessedareas b1 lice that ie preg°'c interior o omens are in then d diva-na City. to ons drvolo at p e timebt t property , ot completed and e' dSat tith - sUbt ides . 4ed t1 dark t dt for further developu then the facts tp his the pr s - a wae for Vitt sake to answers to could i aionr only 1r. WS �gyeate4 nta with in reKard oration thi� tiubd ��;det�a�t was he pre ��Ke to � acts and tnt ! than and the the groupbe*geld that tide a it cost t8 tt and tton the/ raised eDe poles, d the ink i na8b tl on to the exigti�''yld b� in- -stalled tit ` Th to ..sit' by sites S PCndedfromlights Sho ert9 °wne t'1 be sent assn called se peede the Fr° Installation °£. Mira' Cana street glee areavailable, money the been the of ctroliera t Where o order to saverequiring g tit _bas .r areas a eke ter that in oxd tead of cl out the eI °ldei i �e or, the Poles xhs cost, Varagepointed gram F o e le areas owner in 1 h to 4 The Citynand, lightsliens in property' interest o . to lgctx�lie the City y e'1,ectT° r �veeee , t his Clot dWneand stormiv r lacy ° but to a 2S Curtne stated t pavement red to stave rted; tine City . • Ayres, e$xation to eve street d be dr required were frog a Vv. 1 an d was t they xocee received for Camino d ea snne're stood that that t7 on was gnues ato ba the r the ar t under explai a ptti ntr Avenues age. in r the but had not . It Mae to after end Cuxt storm dx'alr sewers,se roV r owne s on Venterspaving and that nine r oche t prtpropertye se eralla street F advised ew e . lane ,i for °t ,SCdewalKr view Avenue have see in ni p petlee npber gutters , . �.�� Veyvie* to contemplated ale A curbs, a . 0-f o o gw asnuorigi originally t e city filed. *bole. b plan te�i ow'ae o oat street t et be beat for tb was ty a Ave granlc t t property as a 60-foot thin owners o property arcels oetreet' M ve el that /eloped believe these riled of eias a 50 -foot iEW Avenue re F arlc\ subdivision. tol �S oun by be revel° res dents � to ile* tb by Cum tx� tit ter thaari access street moved by $ b�eea, a$ a onded by ;I 21, tha the � serve ss ua it w pv be retri were die' �� s tangs, n° sc sion, w 'A�t�r dt that �aYv D$xtm°uth Street opposed the '1� ot 1 nge and carried is on state bee d thaw the the tbere r of way d rout di not expo and tss right xhe proposed o� a the *hodid Engineer at street improvements-, bat or Darts A property . ton Da Std for aver i curet• paving stri4 pave a been assessed standard P un- tt a a Ginter s hgve. ne*till provide d the CO 1 only p,g er work Street, •� rtmOyt" from property open e proposed . E Dartmouth Ste °t a nu�er dewal1`'� the Street. era 225 the west Lion Tram for a ei mouth Ever ?over, OD f the petition provision ! to eli te the in supra theme be di eted that cil plane, and �mouth agKi street. dalQ , it wasout • ! the or of the inge and D tmutn be left ei t she was i oil the On m°t�'or o *e side of Dar Street, who stated#.3,3t and to that a1�ti. atdewa yea on the 222T ' Sa at d as �ar*bleb she the ed'thiti° g in or ' t11 ��,,� t�b parcels 17 � lg � letter �be al�,owed at the axt (Toper °and the co en$atto stated. the ed tio. annaxar V" 77 Do . believe enekaZ t!. nue $ op d bQ Baer . tio s of deguet he Cur t 'to the Clareroe e a�'' dox� 'off urine proF°red �� ai•n6 �g81,� Vili�'" - _ titan! bud, ''�'�. _���r,..... "'. �� rr'»r 1 • 486 taken and was in -favor of the project Resolution No. 2760,:.overruling protests on the, Resolution.; ofIntention-was IntrbdUced and a' -'motion was made by Byxbee, second red by Mitchell that the resolution be adopted. Mrs. Corcoran' stated that she was reluctant to force people to pay for electroliers when ,lights on utility poles would Gnawer, the purpose, and asked if there' eould"be a directive that where i_ t is possible to use utility poles for light standards this -:be done. The City Manager again pointed: out that eleetroliers are required in all new development, that this is a policy matter for the: Council. After some discussion, Resolution No. 2760 overruling pro- tests was adopted on rollcal1, with 12 Ayes, Mrs. Corcoran voting No:. It was then moved by -Mitchell, seconded and carried that the maps and descriptions of easements, the plans and specifications;: the estimate of cost, and the assessments, in connection with Project 55-11, be modified"by deleting, all acquisitions along Mayview Avenue, by deleting.all acquisition and improvement on the Richfield Oil Com- pany property at San Antonio and Middlefield Roads; and by deleting , all sidewalks on the west side' of Dartmouth Street. Resolution No. -2761, ordering Acquisitions and Improve- ments, as modified, and'Confirming Assessment, was introduced, and on motion of MitchellrAindDrysdale, was adopted on roll call, with 12 Ayes,, Mrs. Corcoran voting No-. Resolution No.,2762,, determining thet public interest and necessity require the acquisition ofeasements for streets and the: taking of, immediate, possession thereof, and directing the filing of e:mirent domain 'proceedings, was introduced, and on motion of . Mitchell and.:Drysdale, was adopted on roil call, with 12 Ayes, Mrs. Corcoran voting No.' Resolution No', 2763,, designating the Commercial Officer as the Collection Officer for,Project,55-11, was introduced, and on mo-. tion "of Mitchell and:Dr'ysdale,.-was adopted on roll call, with 12 Ayes, Mrs., Corcoran voting No..' A report was- made at thit time by the City Manager on the bid`s,-received'on August 10 956 n'Project 55-11, with the recom- mendation that the low bid of L. C. Smith Company in the amount of $574,222.42.'be accepted.', He advised that this bid was 7.6% over. the. Engineer's estimate. He pointed out in his report that there are,ap- proximately 850 parcels in the project. Resolution No... 2764, awarding the contract to L. C. Smith Company, wasintroduced and on motion of Cummings and Byxbee, was - adopted -'on roll' call, and the; Mayor was authorized to execute the contract. The vote on roll call was 12 Ayes, Mrs. Corcoran voting No. Sale of Improvement Bonds 'of 1956, Series "A" A: report was received on the bids received at 3;00 P.M. on this date for the sale' of. $900,000�City of Palo Alto Municipal Im- provement Bonds of 1956,,Seyies. A, as follows: AVERAGE INTEREST BIDDERS. Bank;otAmerica N.T. & S.A. and Associates Kuhn, Loeb &` Co Equitable. Securities Corporation City National Bank &-Trust Co. of.Kansas City RAPE 2.53596; 2.58468 ,-v� yam . J�._ j{.A . 'TF,'N•4'-wing.µlWMt�w—.- - .r MN i�YIY�M1e��1.�+wV �hrrunPw+mWA�in�tni,.M1wr.�..,. 'BIDDERS American Trust Company Bacon, Stevenson & Co. Continentaal Illinois National Bank & Trust Co. Kaiser & Lawson, Levy & Williams J- Earle May; & Co. Hill, Richards & Co. Shearson; Hamtili & Co. Weeden & Co. Halsey, Stuart A& Co., Ina. Goldman, Sachs & Co. White, Weld &-C.o. F. S. Smithers & Co. Wood, Struthers & Co. First National Bank of Chicago The Milwaukee Company Burns, Corbett & Pickard, Inc. Hannaford & Talbot Blyth & Co., Inc. The Northern Trust Co. Security -First National Bank of Los Angeles Salomon Bros. & Hutzler and Associates Kidder, Peabody & Co. Ira Haupt &Co. W. H. Morton & Co., Inc. Wagenseller & Durst, Inc. California Bank. Bache & Co. Braun, . Bosworth_' & Co . , Inc. Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis Gregory & Sons J. C. Bradford' & Co. Baxter, • Wi:lliams & Co. J. P. Morgan & Co., Inca and Associates Laidlaw & Co and. Associates by The Bank of California, N.A., Agent 48 i AVERAGE INTEREST - RATE 2.61905% 2.62388 2.62580 2.65189- 2.65873: 2.66200 2.67319 2.67960 2.68740 2.69910 2.721385 ResolutionNo.2765, providing for the sale of these bonds to the best bidder, the:Bank of America N.T. & S.A. and Associates in accordance with their;bid-, was introduced, and on motion of Cum- mings and"Navis,:wasadopted by unanimous vote on roll call. Abatement-`ot Nuisance The hearin at which Charles E. Boyle shall show cause why the building rat 432. Hawthorne Avenue should not be declared a public nuisance had been eontinued,from July 9, 1956, to this date. The City Attorney- reported that the owner is in the process of abat- ing the:nuisance byimproving the building. On his ad'ice, the hearing on this matter was continued to September 11, 1956. Stanford Annexation lio. 5 (Veterans' Administration) This was the time and place set for a hearing of protests { 488 to the annexation of territory -designated as "Stanford Annexation Ne, 5.'" A notice of this hearing' -was given as required by law. 'It was agreed :to hold. the hearing at this time but to" withhold final action on the annexation ordinance until the signed agreement has been received` from: the Veterans' Administration. The City Clerk reported that no protests have been filed ; against the annexation and that no communications regarding the mat- ter have been received. The hearing was declared open. There being no one present who wished to speak on the eaestion, the hearing was closed. On motion. of Mitchell and Nevis, action on the ordinance approving the annexation was deferred and the matter continued until the next regular meeting on August 27, 1956. A report was received, from the Planning Commission recom- mending that the foliowing..zoning.be established for the Stanford Annexation No.:'5 area: a. That a 90 -foot wide 0-A District be established adjacent to Roble Ridge. b. That the remainder of the area between the exist- ing city limits and the Veterans' Hospital site be L-1 ~S . c. That the Veterans' Hospital site be zoned R -E. d. That the area between the Veterans' Hospital site and the proposed club sites be zoned L-M:S. e;. That the proposed club sites be zoned R -E. A proposed ordinance establishing the zoning of Stanford Annexation No. 5 a -s recommended by the Planning Commission was ac- eepted for first reading Mr. R C. Johnston, Jr., of the Stanford Business Office stated to the Council that Stanford University believes the O -A Dis- trict should be 50 feet wide instead of 90 feet as recommended by the Planning Commission. This matter was referred to Committee No: 1 for consideration and report. Project Middlefield -Colorado Parking District This was the -time -40 for a hearing of protests on Resolu- tion No. 2749 of Intention to make acquisitions and improvements, Project 56-7. The City Attorney advised that an error had been made in the descriptions of the property to be acquired and of the boundaries of the district, and recommended that the original resolution,be rescinded and a new resolution be adopted with the correct descrip- tions and with provision for a hearing at the next regular meeting on August 27, 1956. Resolution No. 2766 of Preliminary Determination and of Intention to make changes and modifications in Project 56-7, setting: August 27,.1956, at 7:30 P.M.'as.time of hearing, was introduced, and' on motion of Mitchell, duly seconded, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll -call. (The -Council took a reties$ at this time, 9:20 P.M. and ;reconvened at 9:35 P.M.) (Councilman Ruppenthal came at this time, and was present for the rest:of the meeting.) 489 Project 52-13 s. rr=Street Parking, University. Avenue. District All matterain connection with Project 52 -13,. -including Resolutions Nos.2706, 2710and 2735 of Preliminary Determination and of. Intention:' to make Changes and Modifications, were continued from June 25 1956, to thie' date. A Shopper and Parking Survey prepared by the Downtown Palo Alto Association was presented by their Executive Secretary, Mr. Don 'Bibbero.. Copies of the survey were distributed to council members. Mr. Bibbero advised that the members of the Downtown Palo Alto Asso- ciation, composed -of 130 merchants and property owners, have en- dorsed the recommendations contained in the survey report for addstional parking facilities in the 52-13 district and for the improve- ment of traffic flow in the central business district. Mr. Bibbero supplemented his oral report with slides. Mr. Philip:Flint addressed the Council in behalf of the Golden Dragon and Bell's Book Shop on Emerson Street, opposing the 'establishment of parking lots in locations where existing stores and businesses would be hurt, and objected to the use of eminent domain in -acquiring parking lots. He suggested that other means be used to 'provide more parking, such as diagonal parking on one-way streets to increase on -street spaces. The Mayor suggested that the survey and recommendations of the Downtown Palo Alto Association be referred to Committee No. 2. A motion was made by Cresap, seconded by Rodgers, that de- bate on the matter be closed. The vote by roll call on the motion was as follows Ayes: Byxbee, Corcoran, Cresap, Davis, Giffin, Marshall, Mitchell, Rodgers. Noes: Cummings, Drysdale, Navis, Porter, Ruppenthal. (Simps:on was absent during the roll call.) The City Attorney ruled that the motion was lost, as such a motion to close debaterequires a two-thirds vote. Mrs. Corcoran moved the matter be tabled. There was no second. The question was referred by the Mayor to Committee No. 2_ It was. moved by Nevis, seconded by Drysdale, that all mat- ters in connection with Project 52-13 be continued to September 24, 1956. The motion was lost by a voice vote. On motion of Navis and Rodgers, the matter was continued to the first regular meeting in September, September 11, 1956.: Letter from. Marvin Stuart A letter from,Rev. R. Marvin Stuart expressing appreciation for the Council's consideration of his presentation on July 9, 1956, was read and filed Annexation to Mountain View A notice from the County Boundary Commiss:.on of pro oral for the annexation of territory designated as "Stierlin No. 8 to the City of Mountain View was received and filed. Letter .from` Citizens:' Association re Hospital A letter was received from Mrs. Stephanie Casaurang, Presi- dent of the, Palo Alto Citizens' Association, asking for answers to :certain questions regarding coat of operation of the new Hospital. 490 fo- It was explained by the Mayor and City Manager, in answer to these questions, that the Hospital Center will be operated jointly by the City and Stanford University under the control of a Board of Direc- tors, and that there will be -an agreement between the two parties for the apportionment of operating expenses of the core facilities which are shared. A reply to the letter from the Citizens' Associa- tion will be sent. Stanford Annexation No. 6 (Palo Alto - Stanford Hospital Center A petition was received from Stanford University for the annexation of uninhabited territory containing 40.516 acres to the City -of Palo Alto, designated as "Stanford Annexation No. 6." Resolution No. 2767, giving notice of the proposed annexa- tion of this area, the ,site of the Palo Alto - Stanford Hospital Center, and setting September 24, 1956, as date of hearing, was in- trodueed, and on motion of Mitchell, duly seconded, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll Call -of council members present. (Cresap was absent -during-: this` roll" call. It was Moved 'by Ruppe-thal, seconded and carried that the city staff be instructed to pre,;re information on the cost of polic- ing and maintaining Willow Road.' It was pointed out that the Coun- cil at a previous meeting directed that Willow Road be included in the annexation area. Lease of New Hospital Site The Council was informed that the proposed lease between the City and Stanford University covering the site of the new Palo Alto;Hoapital (22.6 acres) has been prepared. The City Attorney re- quested action be deferred to give him an opportunity to review the lease Which was received today.from Stanford. Consideration of the lease by the Council was postponed to the next meeting. Allocation of Costs for Off -Site Improvements, Palo Alto HospitaI• Stanford MedIcal. School A report was made by the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager relative to the allocation of costs for off -site im- provements consisting, of sanitary sewers, storm drainage, water mains, gas mains, underground power and street improvements, to be allocated between the Palo Alto Hospital and the Stanford Medical School. On motion of Ruppenthal and Cummings, it was directed that a copy of the report be furnished to each council member and that the matter be referred to Committee No. 1. Bids on Grading Hospital Site The City Manager reported that bids were received on this date at 3:00-P.M...for the grading of the building site for the Palo Alto - Stanford Hospital Center, Project 56-13, and that the low bidder was J. 0. Archibald of Redwood City in the amount of $20,- 300.00. The CityManager advised that the bids and alternates would be reviewed and a recommendation would he submitted to the Council at its next meeting. Zone Chang!Application (YMCA) A report was received from the Planning Commission recom- mending denial of the zone change application of the YMCA for the rezoning of a portion of Lot 86, Wooster Subdivision, on Ross Road, from R -1:B-7 to R-4.. The Commission stated that although it recom- mended denial of the zone change, it feels that this location would be suitable for a facility such as the YMCA. The Planning Officer reviewed the matter and explained that the YMCA could be established in an R-1 district with a use permit. p._,.f 7. •. ... . A... X..u.. 491 A motion was made by Rodgers, seconded by Marshall, that a proposed ordinance rezoning the property in question to R-# be -ac- cepted for first reading, and the matter be referred to Committee No, 1. The motion was carried by the following vote on roll call: Ayes: Corcoran, Cresap, Davis, Drysdale, Marshall, Porter, Rodgers, Ruppenthal, Simpson. Noes: Byxbee, Cummings, Giffin, Mitchell, Nevis. Library Architect Councilman Cresap, Chairman of the special committee on se -1 lection of a library architect, presented an oral report on;behalf of the committee which recommended that Mr. Edward D. Stone, 635 Bryant 'Street, Palo Alto,,be.employed.:as the architect to design both the new main library and the branch library. On motion of Cresap and Mitchell, the recommendation of the committee was adopted and the Mayor was authorized to enter into a contract. with Mr. Stone for his services. Sales Tax A report was received from Committee No. 3 recommending that if the Council decides to adopt a sales tax and a use tax, the two ordinances accepted for first reading on July 23, 1956, providing 'for a 1% tax to.be effective October 1, 1956, be adopted. Attention was called to the report of the City Manager which was submitted at the public hearing on the sales, tax on August 10, 1956, containing estimates of sales tax revenge and a proposal whereby 50% of -the income would be devoted to a reduction of the property tax rate and the other 50% designated for needed capital im- provements 1 The City Manager reported on a joint City -County meeting whereby the cities agreed to give 9% of the gross sales tax collec- tions in cities to the County, with the County paying from this amount the cost of collecting the taxes estimated to be 1.7%. A letter was received from Mrs. Stephanie Casaurang, Presi- dent of the Palo Alto Citizens' Association, opposing the adoption of a sales tax, but stating that if the sales tax must be passed to pro -1 tect the City's interests, the revenue from a sales tax should be used to rut property taxes and substantially reduce utility rates. A letter was received from the Chamber of Commerce with statement of police on a uniform sales tax for Palo Alto, endorsing the proposed sales tax and division of revenue plan proposed. Information was furnished by the staff, as requested by the Council at the hearing on August 10th, on tax rates of the 60 cities in California of over 25,000 population, showing thst 56 of these 60 cities already have a sales tax. The City Manager reported that the Board of Supervisors to- day gave -final reading to's; Uniform Sales Tax ordinance, effective October 1, 1956. The City Attorney advised that the County ordinance will become effective October 1, 1956, if as of that date every city in the -County has,either adopted a sales tax which complies with the County ordinance or has adopted no sales tax. It was agreed that the ordinances given first reading on July 23, 1956, ehould no longer be considered in view of-the.action of the County and cities subsequent to that date. ---A proposed ordinance imposing a city sales and use tax, providing for the performance by the State Board of Equalization of all functions incident to the administration, operation and collec- tion of the salea and use tax, and providing penalties for violations • 499 thereof, was introduced. The proposed ordinance complies with the Uniform Sales Tax ordinance which the Board of Supervisors has adopted, and provides for a sales and use tax of .91 of 1%. A mo- tion was made by Mitchell and seconded that this proposed ordinance be accepted for first reading. After discussion, the motion to ac- cept the ordinance for first reading was adopted by the following vote on roll call: Ayes: Byxbee, Cresap, Cummings, Davis, Drysdale, Giffin, Marshall, Mitchell, Navis, Porter, Rodgers, Simpson. Noes; Mrs. Corcoran, Ruppenthal. Tax Rate Consideration of the ordinance fixing the tax rate was de- ferred to the next meeting on August 27, 1956. Bids on Water Wells A report was made by the City Manager on bids received on August 9, 1956, for drilling, testing and developing four water wells, with the recommendation that the contract be awarded to the low bidder, the Roscoe Moss Company of Los Angeles, in accordance with their bid of $57,102.40. The City Manager advised that one well will be located near the sewage treatment plant and would be used primarily for sup- plying water to the golf course.. He stated that irrigation of the golf course by effluent, which must be done at night, is a costly method, and that there is a problem in having drinking water avail- able on the golf course. Councilman Byxbee suggested a study be made of sources of water supply, with possibly considering the use of Hetch-Hetchy wa- ter altogether, and wells being used for standby service only. It was moved by Mitchell, seconded and, carried that the bid of Roscoe Moss Company be accepted and the Mayor be authorized to execute the contract. It was brought out in the discussion that if the well near the golf course proves to be adequate for irrigating the course, the same pipes used for effluent at present would be used after they have been flushed and chlorinated. It -was suggested that the City Manag- er obtain approval in writing from the County Health Department to this program. Extension of Substations The City Manager reported that no outside bids were re- ceived for the extension of Substations C and D, Project No. 56-11,. at the time of receiving bids, 3:00 P.M., August 9, 1956. The esti- mate submitted by the Electrical Department of the City of Palo Alto was $10,703.00.- It was moved by Byxbee, seconded by Mitchell, and carried that the work be done by the Electric Department of the City of Palo Alto. (Councilman Simpson left at this time and was absent for the rest of the meeting.) Bids on Parking Lots A report was made by the City Manager on the bids received on August l0, 1956, on the construction of a parking lot in Block 19, Project 52-111, with the recommendation that the low bid of Bau- man Bros. be"accepted in the amount of $8,466.97. The City Manager also reported on the bids received on August 10 on the construction of three parking lots on Sherman Avenue, Project 55-5, with the rec- ommendation that the low bid of Bauman Bros. in the Amount of $26,- 7777-F-77777141. 493 T, - L 815.42 be accepted. motion of Byxbee and Drysdale, the recommendations were adopted and the Mayor was authorized to sign the contracts with BauH man Bros. for these projects, by unanimous vote on roll call. California Avenue Grade Crossing The City Manager reported that the grade crossing at Cali- fornia Avenue ie being repaired and improved. Relocation of Sanitary Refuse Disposal Area The City Manager reported on plans to relocate the Sanitary' Refuse Disposal Area. !' Disposal of Fire Equipment The City Manager reported that the City has an old piece of fire apparatus which it intends to put up for sale when new equipment is purchased; that it is worth approximately $600.00. He reported that a suggestion has been made that the equipment be put in one of the parks for children to play on and asked whether the Council is interested in the suggestion. The matter was referred to Committee No. 2. New Commercial Electric Rate Schedule Action on a commercial electric rate schedule was deferred to the next meeting. Stockton Place Park The Assistant City Manager reported that negotiations have been completed for the acquisition of property for the Stockton Place Park at the price of $19,140.00, and that a transfer of $2,- 140.00 is needed to complete the purchase. It was moved, seconded and carried by unanimous vote on roll call that the transfer of funds be authorized from the Special Projects Account to Account 149-F to complete the acquisition of this park property. Investment of Hospital Improvement Fund A report was received from Committee No. 3 recommending that the Hospital Improvement Fund be invested in government securi- ties until needed for the improvement of the Hospital. On motion of Byxbee and Mitchell, the recommendation was adopted. Record of Survey A report was received from the Planning Commission recom- mending approval of the Final Record of Survey of a portion of Lot 1, Seale Tract No. 6. It was moved, seco•.aded and carried that the Record of Survey be approved. Tentative Subdivision Maps The Planning Commission recommended approval of the follow- ing tentative maps a. St. Claire Gardens No. 3, portion of Lots k3 and $k, Wooster Subdivision, subject to granting public utili- ties easement as shown in red on the map. b. Cathay Terrace, a portion of Lot 24, Block 6, Seale Subdivision No. 5, on Greer Road near Amarillo Avenue, subject to dedication of easements as shown in red on 434 maps ning the map, the dedication of Elmdale Drive to Greer Road,; and improvement of Elmdale Drive and the northeasterly half ,of Greer Road adjacent to this subdivision; also subject to the construction of a 20 -foot temporary pave- ment in Greer Road from Amarillo Avenue to the tract boundary. It was moved, seconded and carried that these tentative be approved in accordance with the recommendations of the Plan Commission. Appointment to Planning Commission The Mayor nominated Mrs. Philip Towle as a member of the Planning C'ommissior nor a four-year term, to replace Rev. Donald E. Poston whose term expired June 30, 1956. The nomination was ap- proved.. Appointments to Board on Commercial Amusements The Mayor nominated Mr. E. P. Cashel and Mr. W. H. Jilbert for reappointment to the Board on Commercial Amusements, each for a three-year term. The Mayor announced that Mrs. Frank H. Richey, present chairman of the Board, has sent him a letter of resignation. He advised that he is not yet ready to name a replacement to fill this vacancy which is for a term ending June 30, 1958. The appointments of Mr. Cashel and Mr. Jilbert were ap- proved by the Council. Standing Council Committees The Mayor announced the appointment of the following stand- ing committees of the Council for 1956-57: Committee No. 1: Public Works, Public Utilities and Engineering Committee No. 2: Recreation, Libraries, Fire De- partment, Police De- partment, Animal Shelter, Parking, and Public Safety Committee No. 3: Finance, Audits and Accounts, Organization, Internal Control and Procedures Committee No. 4: Hospital Robert W. Byxbee, Chairman Dean R. Cresap Robert H. Cummings Herbert A. Navis Karl M. Ruppenthal Robert H. Cummings, Chairman Mildred S. Corcoran George S. Drysdale Clifford Q. Giffin James G. Marshall Stanley Bishop, Chairman Burt L. Davis George S. Drysdale J. P. Mitchell Lee W. Rodgers C. H. Simpson J. P. Mitchell, Chairman James G. Marshall. Lee W. Rodgers C. H. Simpson Monthly Reports The monthly report of the Controller for July, 1956, was received and placed on file. The montnly'_report of the Planning Officer on action taken in July on applications for redivision of lots was received and filed. The monthly report of the, Zoning Administrator on action taken in July on applications for variances and use permits was re- ceived and filed. 495 A...\ N C... 1p4: _::7i 1131.y„.K'P ,,. 8':7A•l. py C7: R'.R4YA'd! ;„h:" ld • p Radiology and Laboratory Facilities Councilman Hyxbee. stated that he noticed in the newspaper, that the doctors may raise money to provide separate laboratory and X-ray facilities in the new Palo Alto - Stanford Hospital, and he did not think:the doctors should be encouraged to do so. Council- 1 man Davis advised that the newspaper gave the wrong impression, that a suggestion to raise funds was only one of several different ideas brought up at a meeting of the Palo Alto doctors; and he sug- gested that the matter be left "status quo." The City Manager pointed out that the Administrative Code requires that approval of the Council must be obtained before funds are solicited or collected for use of the City. Balance of Agenda Deferred Other items on the agenda of this meeting were held over for consideration at the next regular meeting on August 27, 1956. This meeting was declared adjourned at 11:55 P.M. APPROVED: Mayor ATTEST : CityyClerk � 1 .