HomeMy WebLinkAbout11251968City Hall
Palo Alto, California
November 25, 1968
The Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:30 p. m.
with Mayor Arnold presiding.
Present: Arnold, Beahrs, Berwala, Clark, Comstock,
Dias, Gallagher, Gullixson, Pearson, Spaeth
(arrived 8:00 p.m.), Wheatley
Absent: None
Approval of Minutea
Councilman Pearson requested that on page 267 of the Minutes
of November 4 a statement be included that Councilman Clark
offered to withdraw his motion to continue consideration of the safe
bicycle route, but Vice Mayor Dias, refused to withdraw her
second. Vice Mayor Dias stated that she would not object to
inclusion of the statement provided the Mayor's comment that
it would not be proper to withdraw the motion was also added.
There were no objections to the additions.
Councilman Wheatley asked that on page 268 of the Minutes of
November 4, that his motion in regard to protest of a liquor
license being granted to the "Morgue`' be restated to request
a staff report concerning the possible basis for such a protest.
There were no objecticns.
The Minutes of the Council Meeting of November 4, 1968 were
then approved with additions and changes.
Councilman Pearson requested that on page 273 of the Minutes of
November IZ concerning Resolution No. 4178 be corrected to
indicate that the resolution was adopted by fnajority voice vote,
Councilman Pearson voting "no".
There were no objections.
The Minutes of the Council Meeting of November 12, 1968 were
then approved as corrected.
Medical Research Foundation Plans
Mayor Arnold announced that a request had been received from the
Palo Alto Medical Research Foundation to make a presentation to
a joint meeting of the Council Committee of the Whole and the
Planning Commission concerning the Foundation's hospital plans,
Mayor Arnold stated he had discussed the matter with Planning
Commission Chairman Norton, and it was agreed that the joint
meeting be set for Wednesday, December 4 at 7:30 p. m. preceding
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the regular Planning Commission meeting scheduled for that night.
It is anticipated that the joint meeting will be for the purpose of
information and questions only and will adjourn after about an
hour and a half.
HUD Award
Planning Commissioner Kurt Gross, member of the Santa Clara
County Planning Policy Committee, presented the Urban Develop-
ment Intergovernmental Award of the United States Department
of Housing and Urban Development for meritorious contribution
to " intergovernmental relations. Mr. Gross explained that the
Award hed been made to the County organization and individual
presentations were being made to each city in Santa Clara County.
Golf Trophy
Mayor Arnold recognized the representatives from the Palo Altc
Men's Golf Club: President Jirn Karas, Past President Jim Morgan,
and Mr. Jim Saitta. Vice Mayor Dias congratulated the Men's
Club on winning the trophy for the second consecutive year in the
.annual tournament between the Club and the Council and Council -
appointed officers.
Hearing - Vista Avenue
Mayor Arnold declared the hearing open concerning the abandonment
of a portion of Vista Avenue. He observed that affidavit of
publication of notice and affidavit of posting of notice are on
file in the office of the City Clerk.
There being no one present who wished to speak, Mayor Arnold
declared the hearing closed.
MOTION: Councilman Gallagher introduced the following resolution
and moved, seconded by Wheatley, its adoption:
Resolution No. 4180 entitled "Resolution of the Council
of the City of Palo Alto Ordering the Vacation of a Portion
of Vista Avenue and Reserving and Excepting from the
Vacation Ail Easements Therein"
The resolutio:: was adopted unanimously by voice vote.
Proposed Ameadrnents to Sign Ordinance
MOTION: Councilman Clark moved and it was duly seconded, to
continue the two items relating to free-standing signs and to
flashing and moving signs until Monday, December 2, 1968,
CHANGE OF MOTION: At the request of Councilman Comstock,
Councilman Clark changed his remotion to continue until Monday,
December 16, 1968.
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote,
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Planning Policy Committee -
Subregional General Plan
MOTION: Councilman Clark moved, on behalf of the Planning
and Procedures Committee that the Council instruct the delegate to
review these paragraphs with the PPC and attempt to obtain some
agreement on a stated set of procedures that would meet a pro-
vision for negotiation and compromise on decisions between cities
and the PPC and also request clarification on the reference in the
document made to the PPC staff.
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Bicycle Paths and
Service tafion - Site and Design Control
MOTION: Councilman Pearson moved, seconded by Arnold, to
table the items relating to bicycle path policy and to the proposed
ordinance requiring Site and Design Control approval for service
stations.
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Change of Zone - 355 Larnbert Avenue,
308 Chestnut Avenue and 3358 Birch Street
MOTION: Councilmen Wheatley moved, seconded by Beahrs, the
adoption of the following ordinance:
Ordinance No. 2477 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the
City of Palo Alto Amending Section 18, 08.040 of the Palo
Alto Municipal. Code Changing the Zoning of Certain Property
Known as 355 Larnbert Avenue, 308 Chestnut Avenue and 3358
Birch Street from M -1:S and R-3 to P-F:D";first reading
11/12/58)
(Councilman Spaeth arrived at 8:00 p. nn. )
The ordinance was adopted unanimously by voice vote.
Rinconada Park Ex argon.
,roject o. -1 9:9)
MOTION: Councilman Pearson moved, seconded by Comstock.
to award the contract for Rinconada Park Expansion, Project No.
66-11 to the low bidder, Glenn R. McGettigan Incorporated..
in the amount of $165,400 for the bast bid and aU alternatives.
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
o»osed Foothills Environmental
Councilman Wheatley stated that because there may be a possible
future conflict of interests, he will neither participate in the
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discussion nor vote on the proposed Foothills Environmental
Study matter.
Discussion followed concerning the proposed total Foothills
Environmental Design Study and City Manager Morgan's pro-
posed pilot study of the area at this time.
Mrs. Fyten, 3479 Rosa Road, Palo Alto, suggested names of
various governmental agencies which provide free materials
which might be helpful in the proposed study.
Mrs. Katherine McCann, 783 Garland, Palo Alto, urged the
City to make a two-year professional study of the foothills
at the expense of the general taxpayers.
Thomas Jordan, 716 Holly Oak, President of the Committee for
Green Foothills, referred to his letter of November 20, 1968
commenting on the study and outlining the Committee's recommenda-
tionr :n support of the study.
Mrs. Nonette Hanko, Palo Alto Civic League, stated that the
League supports a comprehensive plan for the foothills at the
expense of all Palo Alto taxpayers. Mrs. Hanko responded to
questions from the Council concerning whether recommendations
to come out of such a study can be anticipated now.
Discussion continued concerning both proposals, costs involved
and time required to complete the study.
MOTION: Councilman $erwald moved, seconded by Comstock,
to approve the Planning Commission recommendation and direct
the staff to implement plans for a Foothills Environmental Design
Study to achieve the beet possible overall environmental design plan
for the foothills.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Dias -moved, _ _ _o._� a by rtaliagIe� _._
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hear from the audience, although there is a motion before the
C0unci1.
The moton carried unanimously by voice vote.
Mass Mildred Ligda, foothills property owner, suggested the
possibility of forming a special assessment district for planning.
The motion carried by majoeity voice vote.
(The Council recessed frown 9:10 to 9:25 p.m.)
Councilman Spaeth requested that the record include his statement
that he may move to direct staff to study the possibility of
coordinating both the proposed pilot study and the proposed
comprehensive plan for the foothills.
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City Manager Morgan presented his report on possible improvements
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to the Downtown Loop Traffic System, and he and Traffic Engineer
Noguchi replied to questions from the Council concerning dl:tails
of the report.
Robert R. Hanko, 3172 Emerson, Palo Alto, representative from
the Palo Alto Civic League, stated the League takes no position
regarding the loop system, but requests an advisory vote be taken.
Charles Schulz, attorney representing the Central Business Area
Association of Palo Alto, urged the Council to eliminate the loop
and return to the two-way traffic system.
Frank L. Crist, Jr., President of Downtown Palo Alto Inc.,
spoke in support of retaining the loop as part of long range improve-
ments to include additional parking facilities.
MOTION: Councilman Clark moved., seconded by Comstock, to
rescind Resolution No. 4026 entitled "Resolution of the Council
of the City of Palo Alta Amending Resolution No. 2971 Designating
Portions of Hamilton: Webster and Lytton One --Way Streets and
Restricting Parking Thereon to Create a Downtown, One -Way Street
Plan"; and further that it be understood that the motion is ,made in
disregard of the initiative petition relating to the downtown loop system
which was presented previously.
(NOTE: See below reference to Resolution No, 4181)
Ryland Kelley, 300 De Valera Drive, Menlo Park, spoke in
opposition to the motion.
ADDITION TO MOTION: Councilman Clark added, with the con-
sent of his second, that the return to the two-way traffic system
be made with all possible haste.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Berwald, Clark, Comstock, Gallagher, Gullixson,
Pearson
Noes: Arnold, Beahrs, Dias, Spaeth, Wheatley
City Attorney Hildebrand advised that his office would interpret
Council action as adoption of the resolution which is required to
rescind a resolution and that such action was taken clearly
independent of the initiative petition and that the Council retains
its power to deal with the subject.
(NOTE: The resolution will be known as Resolution No.
4181).
Tax Refunds
MOTIO'N'': Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Beahre,
to direct the Controller to issue a warrant to the Palo ,Alto
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11/25/68
Art Club in the amount of $187.48 and grant an exemption from
property taxes for the 1968-69 fiscal year.
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, sec onded by Beahrs, to
direct the Controller to cancel the tax levied in the amount of
$2,794.08 pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 4 of Part 9 of Division
1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and to grant property
tax exemption to Stanford Children' a Convalescent hospital
for the 1968-69 fiscal year.
The motion carried unanimously by voice vbte.
MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Beahrs,
to direct the Controller to issue a warrant to the Palo Alto
Senior Housing Project, Inc. in the amount of $555.26 and to
grant are exemption from property taxes for the 1968-69 fiscal
year.
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
VakidVion Ordinance
MOTION: Vice Mayor Dias introduced the following ordinance
and moved, seconded by Beahrs, its adoption:
Ordinance No. 2478 entitled "An Ordinance. to Validate the
Organization, Boundaries, Engineering Documents, Filing
Procedures, Notices, Assessments, Contracts, and
Assessment Bonds of the City of Palo Alto and All Acts
anti Proceedings in Connection Therewith and Declaring the
Urgency Thereof, to Take Effect Immediately"
The ordinance was adopted unanimously by voice vote.
Park and Recreation Building Use
and Regulations
MOTION: Councilman Clark moved, and i; was duly seconded to
limit consideration of the proposed park and recreation building
use and regulation ordinance to one hour.
MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Spaeth,
to refer the matter to the Planning and Procedures Committee.
Mayor Arnold ruled the motion to refer out of order, stating that
the subject of parks and recreational. facilities is assigned to
the Public Works Committee according to the Administrative Code.
MOTION WITHDRAWN: Councilman Clark, with the consent of
his second, withdrew his notion setting a time limit.
Mayor Arnold stated Est consideration of the proposed ordinance
had been continued from the November IZ, 1968 Council meeting
and comment from the public would be heard at this time.
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11/25/'8
Bob Cullenbine, 921 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition
to the proposed ordinance.
Barry Greenberg, 1047 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, spoke in
opposition to the proposed ordinance.
James Wolpman, 221 South Balsarnina, Menlo Park, spoke in
opposition to the proposed ordinance, Mr. Wolpman also responded
to questions from the Council regarding specific provisions of
the proposed ordinance.
E. M. Kinderman, 1300 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, spoke in
support of park regulation generally, but suggested the proposed
ordinance may offer the possibility of discrimination against
certain users.
Joe Cook, 549 Jackson Drive, Palo Alto, spoke in support of the
proposed ordinance.
Frank Rack, 18+5 Walter Hayes Drive, Palo Alto, spoke in support
of the proposed ordinance.
Frank Manfreddi, 219 Addison, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to
the proposed ordinance.
Mrs. Theodore Pickett, 1104 Stanley Way, Palo Alto, spoke in
opposition to the proposed ordinance.
Vic Lovell, External Affairs Coordinator of the Mid -Peninsula
Free University, 55 Horner Lane, Menlo Park, spoke in opposition
to the proposed ordinance.
Jim Wilmer, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to the proposed
ordinance.
-- MOs ION tatT i3 3'+TlxoiG3 i37 U d; seconded by Beakers, -to-continue
the matter until the December 16, 1968 Council meeting.
The motion failed on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Arnold, Beaters, Comstock, G lllixson, Spaeth
Noes: Bel ;vald, Clark, Dias, Gallagher, Pearson, Wheatley
CHALLENGE: Councilman Cornatock stated that Councilman
Gallagher was out of order in reading statements and course
descriptions from the catalog of the Mid -Peninsula Free University
au being representative of MFU ideas, since only the proposed
ordinance was before the Council. Mayor Arnold ruled that the
scope of public testimony had been very wide and had not been
lirnited strictly to the proposed ordinance, and that Councilman
Gallagher's remarks were in order. Councilman Comstock
challenged the ruling of the Chair.
The Chair was upheld on the following roll call vote:
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11/25/68
Ayes: Arnold, Beahrs, Berwald, Clark, Dias, Gallagher,
Wheatley
Noes: Comstock, Gullixson, Pearson, Spaeth
Discussion followed concerning Council objectives regarding
park and recreation facility use, whether the proposed ordinance
serves those objectives, and the desirability of providing for orderly
use of facilities and equitable treatment fvr everyone who wishee to
use them.
MOTION: Councilman Berwald moved, and it was duly seconded, to
continue the matter until the December 16, 1968 Council meeting.
The motion carried by majority voice vote.
Mayor Arnold stated that since everyone present who wished to
speak had been allowed to do so this evening, it was his expectation
that on December 16 discussion on the proposed ordinance would
be limited to Councilconsideration of the matter. Mayor Arnold
invited anyone who wished to comment on the proposed ordinance
to do so in writing and stated that all such correspondence would
be reproduced and distributed to Council members.
Adjournment
MOTION: Councilman Berwald moved, seconded by Arnold, to
adjourn.
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
The Council adjourned at 12:20 a.m.
ATTEST:
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APPROVED:
In a
Mayor