HomeMy WebLinkAbout11101975The City Council of the City of Palo Alto suet on this date at 7:40 p.a.
in an adjourned seating of October 28, 1975, with Mayor Norton presiding.
November 10, 1975
Present: Mehra, ffierweld (arrived at 7:35 p.a.), Carey,
Clay, Comstock, Eyerly, Norton, Sher, Witherspoon
kb sent : None
Mayor Norton consented that the Council wee In the middle of an adjourned
meeting of October 28 and more uniquely adjournment had occurred o;id-way
in the discussion concerning the Palo Alto information and Referral
Service contract. He stated that staff advised Council that items 6, 7,
8a end 9 of the October 28th meeting should be dealt with tonight. Also,
from the November 10 agenda, items 8, 12 and 13 should be taken up
tonight. Mayor Norton announced to members of the eudisnce that an
executive session concerning, litigation had been scheduled for 9:00 p.m.
tonight, so all the items mentioned should be takes care of before
9:00 p.m.
:551:5)
Mayor Norton stated that the following motion was Jade at the October 28
meetins end use on she floor at the time of adjournment.
MOTION: Councilman Comstock introduced the following ordinance and
served, eecondeed by Witherspoon, its adoption:
,1113..3,32 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL Of
THE CITY 0? PALO ALTO AMENDING TUB BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR 1975'?6 ' T"O PROVIDE FUNDING 9'08 CONTRACT SERVICES
WITH THE PALO ALTO AIZA INTOODUTION AND REFERRAL SE
and further moved that the Mayor be authorised to execute the egreemnnt.
Mayor Norton said that the Councilmeib►ers had received a staff report
det.d November 6, 1975, auggeeting that the notion paadiag be modified
to provide an amount of wnay not to exceed $3,500, whioh v a $1,500
less then what was requested .n the original ordinance.
Councilmen Comstock said that be old amend the motion to reflect the
ema nt of $3,500 instead of $5.000 and to state that the contract
a,eervicees basin November 16, 1975.
AMENDMENT: Councilman Comstock Roved, senoedeed by Witherspoon, that
the ordinance bo amended to state an amount not to exceed L1,500, rather
than the previously stated $5.000; and that the contract be amended to
read ". . . services begic"ing November 16, 1975" ineteed of the earlier
starting date of October 1, 1975, while root -deg the termination date
of February 29, 1976.
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Mayor Norton ruled that the amendment would be incorporated in and voted
on with the main notion.
Councilman Beahrs said he had missed the October 28 meeting. He asked
if passage of this ordinance was intended to be a commitment to this
year's b.-1get only, based on the fact that Council had before it a
proposition that did not have any precedent. He said he read the
minutes of the discussion and consented that the ~hole problem of
allocation of funds for social programs was before Council. He said
that Council and the community should adopt a more formalised approach
to social services funding requeeta because in the past years when
someone came forward with , request and it was backed with a lot of
goodness, the Council bought it, but the end results presented nothing
but problems. He stated thet he would support the proposition as long
as it is clearly and definitely a commitment that is not beyond the
end of this fiscal year and it is understood that it will be referred
to the Finance and Public Works Committee if a request is received for
funding in the next fiscal year.
Mks. Carleen Bedweli-, Director of Social and Community Services, said
it was her assumption that this was a commitment through the termination
date of February 29, 1976 as stated in the contract. From that time on
staff hoped a system would exist whereby social programs or these persons
who provide social services, may apply for funding in the following
budget year.
Councilman Beahrs asked Mrs. Bedw,ll if any consideration had been given
to having this particular type of activity funded through United Crusade.
He said that for many years he had advocated that this type of service
be provided for in that agency's activities. He said the City certainly
did not need a huge number of informational services. He believed that
PAAIRS' services should be coordinated with the United Crusssde. Mrs.
Bedwell responded that this poiut was raised for discussion on Sept, 22
before the Council. Subsequently, there was a memo in the packet feom
Virginia Wilson of the MARS staff dated September 23. There is an
inforaaatien and referral system funded by United Way and operated by
the Social, Planning g Council in an Jose. Its feeturea are not identical
to Man; PAIIBS provides additional services in several ratsapeets. If
PAIRS were to submit a proposal to staff for funding in March of 1976,
foeexample, a s pert of the City's social services funding system, one
of Mrs. Bedwell's concerns would he that the City understands the re-
lationship between the referral service which is funded by United Way
and that which is proposed for City funding. Staff may sees some ways
to put that together and assay not be able to fund or use city
resources for two similar activities.
Corrected
See pg.b61
111,.1111
Councilmen Sher stated that it was clear to him that in the arigiam-1
action there was no commitment for the coming fiscal year. He staters
his own position remained clear and that he felt compelled to vote
against the proposal. He said that while tonight's action is not a
precedent for further funding in the coating fiscal year, he bad ex-
pressed his concern that it does set a precedent for this veer in that
Council is granting support for a city organisation halfway through
the fiscal year, imeediately after referring the entire subject to the
Policy and Procedures Committee for study and to develop procedure*
for dealing with sktch requests. Saying that it is not a precedent does
not neke it not a precedent just bacauee Council did not immediately
get more requests for support during this fiscal year. He said he were
not going to fight this matter anymore, but he did want to explain the
basis of his mote,
Co oilman Bysrly said when the policy motion concerning MIMS wee
origieelly weed, it was his understanding that staff vas going to
use the contingency fund in the amount that the contract called for.
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Councilman Eyerly referred to the staff report of November 6 signed by
Carleen Bedwell which stated that staff is willing to fund PAAIRS for
one and one-half months for the services that they have rendered. He
asked George Sipel, City Manager, if he had any feelings about funding
the balance from the contingency fund. l ir. Sipel responded that his
feeling was negative. He said the problem with the contingency account
right now is the large portion of it, perhaps all of it, will be re-
quired to pay salaries this year. He stated that ha was not specifically
aware of that at the time he considered using the contingency account
for the $5,000 for PAAIRS. Whether or not the full contingency account
is going to be necessary for salaries, he was unable to determine at
this time. He said staff would have to wait until the end of the year
to find out. There are many factors involved. His feeling at this
point is for any amount over $1,500 or $2,000, he would prefer not to
use the contingency account. That was his position on the matter.
Generally, over the past couple of years, he said his feeling was if there
was a new program that head been suggested by Council or came to Council
from the community, that program should be funded specifically by the
Council, rather than using the continency account. Mr. Sipel said the
contingency account should be reserved for matters that cerise during
the year and are brought to the staff's attention. These would be of an
emergency nature or in some cases it could be used for salary purposes.
He said funding for the $1,500 fell in between the two categories. The
decision was made to go that route because the staff felt that at the
staff level they had rode some commitments to PAAIRS for n short period
of time and they believed that to be the best way to handle it.
Mayor Norton said perhaps the contingency fund policies could be re-
viewed by the Finance and Public Works Committee.
Vice Mayor Clay asked staff to briefly inform him as to whether there
ream a duplication of services and also the differences between the
United Way funded informational/referral service and PAAIRS. Mss.
Bedwell responded that the difference between the two agencies is
primarily that the program funded by the United Way ie conducted by the
Social Planning Council located in San Jose and many of their referrals
are based on industry. There is a toll free number that Palo Alto
citizens may use to obtain information. The Social Planning Council's
services are available in this area but since they are located out of
town, they do not have the drop -in service that PAAIRS provides locally,
nor do they do the extensive outreach folloe-up that PAAIRS is able to
do. Meer, the budgets are somewhat similar and the question over
the long haul is if information and referee' is a priority social need,
to what extent should we coalesce these activities. She aaid this
information was bi►aed upon her dissuasions with both PAAIRS and Mr.
Robert Penley of the Social Planning Council.
Mr. Robert Penley, Executive Director of the Social Planning Council,
stated that he could not have done s letter Job than Mrs. Bedwell tee,
explaining to the Council the differences of a complimentary nature
between the two information Jed referral services that are available to
this community. He asked how does one mesh the services that have
been provided, and decide if it is feasible to dry so. He said he was
not prepared to answer that. However, he did reiterate to the City
staff that the Social Plug Council service is a Palo Alto supported
informational service. He said they maintain a county -wide and local
resource file on resoerces available, and inquiries fresm throughout the
County, inc1udn.g the City, could be responded to over the telephone.
Re said that they were supported in this endeavor by the local United
Way and the City's support of United Way. He added, however, that the
Social Planning Council does not provide a community based service in
the City of Palo Alto with community staff nor do they provide an out-
reach of follow up on the community basis.
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Vice Mayor Clay asked if services had been provided during the past
few weeks by PAAIRS to the City. Mrs. Bedtaell replied that the basic
services that are available to the Community from PAAIRS had been
provided from October 1 on in the same manner they have been provided
up until that date. There are in the proposed contract additional
specific city services. One relates to screening the calla in regard
to the landlord -tenant service. Mrs. Bedwell said that part of the
program was not yet underway because it would involve some staff
training time. She stated that PAAIRS wanted, as well as the staff,
the contract signed before the training process began and if the contract
was not going to be signed, they would not inveat the time in training.
The other city service that PAAIRS would provide for the City and have
not as yet, is one that relates to their value assisting with the social
services study. Staff has not arrived at a point where that information
would be necessary yet. The fundamental service of having the PAAIRS
agency available has been continued on the same level as in previous
months.
Vice Mayor Clay asked if PAAIRS may provide service to -staff which
otherwise would entail sdditioual City manpower and additional staff
hours. He also asked how PAAIRS supplemented what Social Services did
ordinarily in this area. He said he was thinking, for example, shout the
plan the Policy and Procedures Committee was considering to asaist in
evaluating the social services. Was it planned to use PAAIRS .la that
regard?
Mts. Bedweli replied that was correct and the way that PAAIRS would be
valuable there is that they have documented an inventory of multiple
social agencies, the services they provide, the hours they are open,
the manner in which they work with their clients, and that sort of
information. The City staff could use that inventory as an information
source and not have to gather the materials thxemaelves. The inventory is
spade up of information that PAAIRS has gathered in order to respond to
phone calls and City staff would attempt to draw upon the sae information
is doing its work.
Vice Mayor Clay asked if Mrs. Bedweli felt it desirable for the City to
contract with PAAIRS to provide some information that she would
eventually bring to the Policy and Procedures Committee. Mrs. Bedweli
stated that this idea had been discussed and she knew there was an
editorial proposing that. She said she discussed this matter with
P.A31S following the editoriai in the Palo Alto Times and it sounded
sa if it might be difficult. PAAIRS hoped to be one of the agencies
submitting a propoea.I. She said for PAAIRS to have assisted on a paid
basis eith their only service to the City being participation in the
social services study, night make it difficult for the City to turn
around and look at PAAIRS in an impartial manner. She said her
assumption concerning this contract is basically that the City is
contracting with PAAIRS to provide services to the public. Along the
way the City staff wants to make use of PAAIRS reference materials.
She say this as being slightly different from the City's contracting'
with PAIRS only fur the purpose of assisting in the eocial sereices
study.
Vice Maayor Clair coated that he had rationed the social services study
only as au example but he was trying to determine whether or not PAI1S'
providing services to the City may eliminate the need for staff's- pro-
viding such services. Is it really a staff -type function that the City
would expect PAAIRS to provide? Mrs. bedwell said her feeling was that
keeping the agency in existence to provide services to the public is
*art !something the City would ordinarily do. PA&IRS is not replacing
staff in that respect. If this contract is entered into, staff would
hey* approximately three months to experiment with PAAIRS doing the
acres of landlord -tenant calls. Right now, this service takes
about three to four hours a day of a staff person's time and she said
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she would like to experiment with another agency providing this service
for the City at a cheaper rate.
1
Corrected
Pg. 461
i
orrected
Pg. 461
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Pg. 461
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Pg. 461
Vice Mayor Clay asked if the staff were to use the services of PAAIRS
for the screening of the landlord -tenant services, or if staff were to
contract with PAAIRS to provide information to assist in developing
the social services information, would staff need to come to Council in
order to do that? Could staff do that out Of its own budgeted funds?
Mrs. gedwell stated that for the landlord --tenant services funds ware
included in the Human Relations Commission. Staff had discussed that
possibility with PAAIRS. However, the extent of those services and the
amount that staff is willing to pay PAAIRS for that was so small that it
was not sufficient to get PAIRS through this period.
Vice Mayor Clay asked if it wore staff's discretion to contract for
services of this type if they chose to do so. Mrs. 1 dwell said she
would respond affirmatively, as a generality, provided funds had been
included is the budget and were available, and the services contracted
for met approved program commitment.
Vice Mayor Clay said he was trying to determine in his awn mind to
categorize this program. He coated that it had been said that
PAAIRS was not a typical social service. If it were, Council should
go the route that had been established at this point, that is to look
at the total social service category and try to determine how much
and, where the City is going to spend its Nude. If PAAIRS is not a
social service function in the traditional sense, then Council need
not be involved in putting together a contract of the nature that
staff had presented to Council. He said he would be perfectly
eatisft.ed if staff had determined, in its discretion, whether or
not they had the funds in their budget to contract with PAAIRS or any
other organization, provided it falls within the guidelines set for
staff. With that, he said, he would continue to vote not to fund this
as a tocial service program. On the other hand, if staff were to
determine that they could use the services of PAAIRS to assist the
Policy and Procedures Committee in its study, or however it chose,
then they may do so.
Councilman aerweeld said he would vote for funding PAAIRS but vented
to state the condition upon which he based his vote. That basis is
that PAAI.S meld be the information and referral service for the City.
Ris concerns were that this sesrvica not be duplicated within the City
staff or by any private or publicly funded organisation; that P.AAIB.S
be encouraged to continue to seek private funding; the proliferation at
the level of city funding beyond the initial funding level and that it
be smashed with compensatory decrease is City funding to such services
either within the City staff or within other private groups. Also, duet
in no eat will there he a commitment made bayou this year's fund
and prior to the review of all social services. funding. Me said in his
mind, despite ::he citizens claims to the contrary, funding PARIS does
not establish a precedent for the City to fund other groups.
The soticn passed on the following vote
AYES: Eeahrs, Berwald, Cametock, Eysrly, Norton, Witherspoon
WES : Carey, Clay, Sher
Kay= Norton acknowledged the presence of four young etudents in the
audience who were part of the American Field Service Student Program.
They more RAW Arisoy from Turkey visiting Palo Alto High School; apse
Lewis ra.rro from Costa Rica who is attending cubbe rley; Thomas LorenieCti.,
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from West Germany attending Gunn High School; and Carlos Tito Cunha
from Brazil also attending Gunn. Mayor Norton welcomed these young
people and said he hoped that by their visit to the United States,
particularly Palo Alto, they would gain a better insight of America
and our local community and return to their countries with pleasant
memories of Palo Alto. Mayor Norton also acknowledged the sponsor-
ship of Mr. and Mrn, Patrick Muffler who accompanied the students.
ST TO MOVE LTS 7
MGTICN. Councilmen Carey moved, seconded by Comstock, that Item 7 on
the agenda re California Avenue Garage Conauitant Contract Award;
Item 8a re Stop Sign System Evaiustion; and Item 9 re Scenic Land
Properties application for a Tentative Subdivision, be roved forward
for consideration it this time.
This taotion passed on a unanimous vote.
(C3 ;52g:5)
Referring to the staff report, Councilman Sher said he understood that
the Assessment District has always been set up and a parking structure
feasibility study is already committed. Mrs. Lynnie 1elena, Assistant
to the Director of Planning, replied that the action to be taken by
Council tonight was one of several items agreed to as part of the
assessment project approved by the Council or October 29, 1974.
Councilman Sher asked if Council had any discretion regarding whether
to go forward with the feesibi.ilty study which was committed to a the
time Aeaeseeent District arse a staDZished.
Mr. Robert Booth, City Attorney, advised that Council could drop the
project if they wished to do so.
Corrected Councilman Sher Baked if the property owners had been aassaseed by the
461 runt structure that the Assessment District had estab? iehed and
these are the things that now need to be done for inclusion in the
assessment. Mr. Booth replied this eases a feasibility- study and there
vas the other altarnartive that could be pursued if this project were
dropped.
Councilmen Sher asked if the work mars to be dozes in two phases with
Task I costing 48,E to sake a determination as to whether or not the
garage was feasible mod to look into such natters as the bondizzs capacity,
etc. Mrs. Nelson responded that vas correct. Councilman Sher then
asked when Task 1 has been nomplatsd who would decide as to the
fee eibility--the coaauitaut who makes the study cr the Council. Mrs.
Mersa said that decision would be in the hates of tha project director,
Mr. lata1i Knox,, Director of planning and Community Environment.
Councilman Storer said Couocil authorises the feasibility study, yet if
the study determines it is feasible, that is the end of it and the natter
doss not return to Council for final determination whether or not it
is feasible. Mrs. Helene replied that at the end of the project it
will be returued before Task II but the way the contract is written,
whether to proceed after Task I is a decision placed in the hands of
staff. Councilman Sher said in other words if the answer after Task I
is yeas, it is feasible, then the next step is to go to Task II and get
the piano drawn for tbs garage.. krs. Malmo replied that was correct,
but at the end of Task I staff will only have a preliminary estimate
of tbs costs of the garage hosed om t similar garages costs. Staff
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will have a more clear-cutfinancial determination before the end of
the study. Councilman Sher said if heunderstood Mr. Booth correctly,
it would be possible for Council to request that the matter return
to Council after Task I is completed so they could see what the re -
cults are. Could the Council then make the decision AB to whether
or not to move forward to Task II? Mr. Sipel stated that if desired,
this requisite would have to be iccluded in the contract by amend-
ment tonight. Councilman Sher said assuming it is determined that it
is feasible and the plans are drawn for the garage, that contemplates
going forward and forming a new assessment district to pay for the
garage because currently there is no money in the aseessment project
to pay for the garage. Mrs. Helena responded that it was not a matter
of creating a new district, but rather of going through the proceedings
to approve a new project, at additional project, and an additional
assessment. Councilman Sher asked if that would automatically include
the same boundaries as the present assessment district, or might it be
determined that only certain persons that have benefitted oaght to be
included, which may not be the same people in the current assessment
district. Mrs. Helena said she thought that the boundaries could be
revised if necessary.
Councilman Sher paid he wanted to express his concern about the possi-
bility of large expenditures brsed on the formula that is currently
being used, because he and other councila ers have heard that a new
garage in that location would not necessarily benefit all the property
owners in the current As essment District. Re said he particularly
had in mind the California Co -Op, which is on one end of the Aseessment
District and according to the information he had, the Co -Op is and has
been for a long time paying large suns in the Asseaament Distri.et. He
commented that there is some feeling among reenbers of the Council of
the Cos -Op that they are not receiving full benefits. He said he -
realized that Co -Op does get credit for the spaces they provide; but
in any event, he felt it was appropriate to express this concern at
this time, so there would not be any surprises later on. Councilman
Sher said it was his understanding that Task I vas already committed
to by Council's action in establishing an Assessment District and
providing for assessments that would pay for that, Be commented that
he was surprised tonight to hear that Council could still decide not
to go forward ith Task I, which he assumed would have the effect of
cutting dorm the total amount needed in the Assessment District, and
the property owners will be paying less. Councilmen Sher said he is
prepared to eo for rd with the feasibility study because he believed
that there is a commitment, eve's if it is not technically a legal
commitment, since that was part cf the original aseesmment. 8e said
he would like to maks part of the contract, and at the appropriate time
would move, that than scatter be returned to Council after the Teek I
work is colleted, so that Council then can see tbs feasibility report,
the bonding potential of the area and possibly a proposed fora ebich
coul4 be reviewed by Council before deciding whether or not to go
forwave and ma money spent to draw up pis for a garage. Also, at
the appropriate time be would like to respond to the request from the
Cooperative Council, to review the possibility of the acquisition of a
parcel of property nearer to the Ce Op to provide parting that rani1d
asaiet that large property sir in a masher that would be more
equitable.
FIDE: flaydr Norton moved, *eroude+d by Clay, that the contract acrd
be approved and the Mayor be authorized to execute the agreement with
Ruth and Going/Norton S. Curtis; and that this study does not qualify
A* a project under the California Environmental Quality Acct.
Councilmen Sher moved, seconded by Comstock, to add a
paragraph to the agrom a at to make specific that the consulteet's
feasibility report will be brought back to Council after completion
of Task 1, and before Task II is emple meated, to give Council an
opportunity to deride ,*ether Task II Should go forward.
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Mayor Norton asked staff if this would present any problems from the
standpoint of the legal procedures. Mr. Booth replied staff would
like to review the appropriate sections of the agreement to provide
that the Council has the absolute right to terminate the entire project
and not do Task II at all if it wished, and that there is adequate
time after completion of Task I to review the report.
Councilman Berwald asked Mr. Sipelwhat has been the previous procedure
regarding a capital project such as this, involving an assessment
district, in terms of a two stage feasibility study. Has there normally
been a principal consultant who is not a bond counsel and only an
assessment district capability analysis? Mr. Sipel said this may be
the first time the City is doing it in this fashion. Councilman
Berwald said that was his feeling and on a public works project that
involves establishment of an assessment district, to the greatest
extent possible, he believed that the Finance and Public Works Committee
to be the appropriate agency of the City to screen and review contracts
related thereto before they come to Council. His opinion was that
questions such as Councilman Sher has raised tonight should be handled
at the Committee level. He said he has problems with this approach,
because. Task I, the principal task, is to determine the financial
capabilities of the Assessment District to fund the project and that
is not an architectural or an engineering function. He commented
that the way it had been handled before was to separate the two £unctioie;
one to be handled by bond counsel and the other to be handled by an
engineering and construction firm. He said he was tempted to vote
that it be referred to the Finance and Public Works Committee. He did
not want to unduly delay the project. He said that Councilman Sher had
a good point to commence with Task L, but he had some functional objec-
tions to this sort of procedure eithout it being screened by the Finance
and Public Works Committee.
Councilman Comstock said that a careful consultant, after the completion
of Task 1, would say here is a preliminary answer and the answer can
only be validated by going through Task II. He stated that it is important
to have Council review the project after the completion of Task 1.
The amendment passed on a unanimous vote.
The motion, as amended, passed on a unaaninoua vote.
:522:5)
Mayor ,Norton said that six votes would be required for this ordinance
amending the budget.
MOTION: Councilman Comstock introduced the folleewing ordinance and
wed, seconded by Norton, its adoption:
ORDINANCE NO. 2883 entitled "ORDINANCE 3P THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PLO ALTO SING THE BUDGET FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR 1575•-76 TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A STUDY TO
EVALUATE TF.E CITY-WIDE STOP SIGN SYSTEM"
Councilman beahrs asked how much money was involved here. Mr. Ted
Noguchi, Director of Transportation, responded that the ordinance
requested $25,000 which is the amount the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)
received in terms of a federal grant. Councilman Beaters ssked if the
City wals going to receive matching funds. Mr. Noguchi stated that this
was not a matching fund project; it is a totally funded project from
the Highway Safety Act funds of 1966. It is the Gas Taz Funs that
e
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provide for safety related studies. Mr. Sipel added that staff has
to bring this money into the City's budget in order to spend it, but
it is public money, State funds.
Councilman Beaters said he knew there were a lot of complaints about
the City'a traffic situation, but he said the safety record to some
extent supported the current system. He asked if this expenditure of
the taxpayers' money was necessary. Hr. Noguchi replied that back
in January, staff did report to Council about the problems that staff
observed in terms of aide effects with the present stop sign system
and the increasing proliferation of stop signs causing an additional
problem. Re said it is staff's view that the problem could only be
resolved with a fairly comprehensive evaluation of the entire system.
Inasmuch as the system requires extensive monitor research and field
work, staff's view is that it can only be done by an outside consultant.
He stated that this had been referred to the Policy and Procedures
Committee once before and in order for the Committee to intelligently
take this matter up, he believed that they should have all the facts.
Councilman Beahrs said he was sure there weren't as many jack rabbit
starts in this City since the increase of fuel costs and gasoline
shortages a year ago. He was somewhat skeptical but would support it,
although he believed that the aggregate effect of this type of study
nationwide is one of the nation's problems.
Councilman Berwald said he was very sure that he was going to vote
against this. He said he was sure that the largest growth industry
in America today is the consultant industry. He commented that he was
also sure that the consultant selected would be a consultant outside
of Palo Alto, not very familiar with Palo Alto's problem. He said
he was commenting further on at one of his colleagues had mentioned,
namely that the consultant would probably return with as recommendation
which would take a great deal of staff;ac time and the whole village would
be upset and down the Councll's necks. He added that he believed that
to be a padding type of project that is not essential; one that could
be done over time by staff. On his list of 1,000 priorities, he would
place this project as 1,001, and he was going to vote against it.
Council She' said on the general and philosophical point, he was in
agreement with what had been said. However, his concern was thet staff
had observed undesirable aide effects from the City's stop sign system
and concern that it will be recommended that the stop signs be removed.
Hs *aid since those recommendations will be forthcoming anyway, it
seemed to his it would be batter to study the vhole system. The traffic
engineer bee been saying for a long time that the system needs to be
studied and even without the possibility of this grant, which is
apparently all set to go, staff is ready to undertake s study. He said
he tended to favor the stop sign system that the City has because,
philo*ophically, it helps keep people from speeding; but on the other
head, Council keeps receiving requests from citizens to remove the stop
signs and to substitute theta with yield signs. On this basis, it is
important to review the entire system and its side effects and it seems
likely that this study would occur with or without federal funding.
The ordinance passed on the following vote:
ATES: hombre, Corey, Clay, Comstock, Eyerly, Norton, Sher,
Witherspoon
NOBS: Berwald
MCTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Witherspoon, that Council
finds that this particular +action by the Council is not considered a
"Project" for purposes of Title II o:! the Palo Alto Mueicipal Cod* end,
tberafore, no Environmental Impact Assessment is needed.
The motion was passed ore a unanimous vote.
1003-1011 COLORADO AVENUE
PROPERT!ES
MOTION: Councilwoman Witherspoon introduced the following resolution,
moved, seconded by Clay, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 5159 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO DECLARING REAL PROPERTY SURPLUS
TO THE CITY'S NEEDY AND AUTHORIZING A SALE THEREOF TO
SCENIC LAND PROPERTIES, INC."
Mayor Norton said it: was apprcpriate to note that staff had requested
that Council amend Section 2 of the resolution to make a finding that
the enactment of the resolution would have no significant adverse
eavirosental impact. 8e asked Coueciiw+oman Witherspoon if her motion
would include the recommended change. Councilwoman Witherspoon and
Vice Mayor Clay concurr. ed .
Councilman Berwald asked Mrs, Anne Steinberg, Chairwoman of the Planning
Commission, if this was the same property that was proposed by Harrington
and Ruiakoff for seventeen units. Mrs. Steinberg said she believed eo.
?`see units were to be mild for $29,000, Councilman Berwald asked if
Mrs. Steinberg had any idea what these units would be selling for now.
His. Steinberg replied she understood that they would be selling anywhere
bet r. $50,000 to $55,000.
Councilman Berw1d said as can be seen by the thrust of his questions,
he questioned this subdivision as being the best for the site and he
also questioned this use of the land. He would be happy to listen to
the arguments from both sides. He recalled that Council had an
opportunity come time ago to take this property, which is next to a
fairly high density low moderate income unit and to utilize it se a
transitional zone between that housing development and some other R.-1' a
nearby to provide housing for lower -income people, privately financed
and a greater number of units. He commented that he thought it was
an attractive plaza with none of the property being used for public
streets. All of the property was to be used for housing with a private
driveway. He had some problem with this one when compared to the
earlier application, end he did not think it wee the highest and best
eir,a of the property.
The resolution wa* adopted on the following vote:
RTES: *sabre, Carey, Clay, Eyerly, Norton, Sher, Witherepoon
NOES: Berweld
OUT OF HERS: Comstock
MOTION: Vice Mayor Clay introduced the following resolution, moved,
seconded by Baehr:, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 5160 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO APPROVING A TENTATIVE MAP FOR
CERTAIN PROPEATT KNOWN AS 1003-1011 COLORADO AVENUE,
GRANTING EXCEPTIONS AND VARIANCES, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS"
(continued from 10/14/75)
The resolution was adopted on the following vote:
AUS : Baehr*, Carey, OUP, Eyerly, Norton, Sher, Witherspoon
BiRBBtz Berweld, Coast ,
3 g 1
11/14/75
MOTION: Mayor Norton moved, seconded by Berwald, that the mating
of the new cul-de-sac be referred to the Finance and Public Works
Committee.
The inotion pawed on a unanimous vote.
JAMMU
► OTION: Mayor Norton movod, seconded by Clay, to adjourn the balance
of the meeting of October 28 to the regularly scheduled meeting of
the City Council, 7:30 p.m., on November 17, 1975.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
MOTION: Mayor Norton moved, seconded by Witherspoon, to adjourn the
meeting of October 28, 1975.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote and the meeting was adjourned at
8:44 a.m.
..ove tuber 10, 1975
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 8:45 p.m.
in a regular meeting with Mayor Norton pre=siding.
Present: Beahr4, Berwald, Carey, Clay, Comstock, Eyerly,
Norton, Sher, Witherspoon
Abtent: None
MOTION: Councilman timbre moved, seconded by Beeer ,old, to eeppxove the
minutes of October 6, 1975, as submitted.
The motion pewit", on munanimous vote.
1. Dr. Nancy Jewell Cron, 1902 Palo A .to . Way, representing
National Woman's Political Cameos, addreesed Council
regarding the selection of an Affirmative !Action Officer
for the City. She stated that a person appiying . for the
position was not able to obtafu any definition *bout the
job specifications. She said that oat is informed if one
asks that the deeecistons are node by OA of the people 7n
the Personnel office votimg, none of whom she feels has
anywhere near the qualification of an Affirmative Action
Officer. She commented that the City ahcuid conduct an
objective comparison of applicants or some sort of written
eeeuioaeinetioa aired people could achieve a rank on that basis.
Oral examinations cold prove to be very prejudicial in tares
of an India -54%14's bias, which has no relationship to the
quees;l.it y of the City'. service. Dr.• Cross suggested that
p>rovidoed . than City could undo the inadequacies for not
hap# ; a set of aspaecificatioas at the beginning of the
process, theme be a new set of circumstances established
before any further procssa3ag takes place. There should
be a person, or a group of pioples, as consultants vho would
heave the expertise to coestruct mete motion which would
Sae
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measure skills in the field of affirmative action. This
should then be announced and all interested parties invited
to take the examination offered at City Hall.
Councilman Berwald asked Dr. Cross if she could send a written statement
of her "charges" to Mr. George Sigel, City Manager, so that he could
make a report to Council. Dr. Cross stated she would do so.
2. Ms. Joyce Shefren, 111 E, Floresta, Transportation Chairman
of South San Mateo Lague of Women Voters, read the following
statement:
"As members of the League of Women Voters of thoi United States,
the Palo Alto League of Women Voters and the South San Mateo
League of Women Voters would like to address you tonight con-
cerning the Willow Road Improvement Project's SIR. The
national League's position is 'in support of transportation
meaautes to conserve energy, protect the environment and
provide more equitable access to employment.' And our com-
bined local Leagues' position is, in part, 'to urge trans-
portation authorities to conoider all aspects of transit, busses,
bikes, jitney's, parking facilities, etc. . t .'
The result of these positions leads us to epeak to you in
regard to the EIR concerning the widening of Willow Roud.
The South San Mateo League of Worsen Votes feels this project
hasa major impact or our County as well as Santa Clara County
and consequently our two leagues would like to present these
questions and comments to you.
1) Since a national concern is to reduce energy consumption,
it seems contrary to that to widen Willow Road to vake it
very convenient to increase auto use rather than making the
major improvement to accommodate and encourage the use of
busses. The EIR states that sass transit isn't a logical
alternative on Willow Road due to the high percentage of
shopping trips and high income; low density housing in the
areas surrounding the road. But there are many work trips on
the road tbst cause the major traffic tieups at commute hours.
And with San Mateo County probably putting busses in the area
within one or two years, Santa Clara County could greatly
benefit commuter transportation if they would make Willow Road
into am adequate bus line. Even a bug usage of 10-20% would
significantly reduce auto congestion. Other alternatives to
be considered are to eencouraee car pools and to increase
staggered work hours. Busses could also affect employment
p-±' 1bilities for people living in East Palo Alto mho can find
employment is homes in the hills but as of now there is almost
no way for them to reach their Jobs.
2) The EIR hasn't allowed for the building of the bile -
pedestrian bridge that is scheduled to be built at San Mateo
Drive into Menlo Park and to evaluate the effect this may
have on redoing auto traffic,
3) The possibility of synchronising the traffic signals at
the Oak Creek apartments with the signals at Oak Avenue and
at San H111. Road to see if this could help alleviate 90114 of
the backup is another consideration.
4) All the alternatives in the report call for all traffic to
turn north or south onto El Canino Real. If this autos turn
south and thee attempt to tuna east onto University, it will
only increase traffic at an steady dangerous intersection tion on
the bridge rasp onto University. Or else automobiles will just
continua to use Arboretum to Palle Drive which wtU not be
diminishing traffic through the Stanford hipping Center as
Is hoped for,
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5) The last point is that Stanford Shopping Center is
expanding and what are their plans for traffic flow and
how will it affect any of the alternatives in the plan?
We would hope that some of these lesser alternatives will
be looked at closely before going ahead with a major
improvement(s) in the EIR."
3. Mr. Steve Mylroie, 415 Fernando Avenue, pointed out that in
his neighborhood there were about five massage parlors in the
vicinity of 400 households. Be commented that either there
were a lot of pulled euecles in that area or the service was
catering to outside people. He requested that Council in-
vestigate the uses that are a11cwed in this commercial area,
and possibly modifying the zoning ordinances to take into
account the unique nature of this commercial area which is
closely tied to a residential area. Be co nted that a
large number of residents in the area feel threatened by
the presence of these types of businesses in their area and
by the increased traffic in their neighborhood.
MOTION: Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Comstock, that Item 8, Canvass
of Results of Special Annexation Election, Barron Park, and items 12 and
13 re El Camino Park, be moved forward on the agenda.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Mrs. Barbara Whittemore, 3883 El Centro Street, said the election results
were a great relief to all who were engaged in the struggle for annex-
ation of Barron Park to Palo Alto. She stated that she shared the Council's
expressed desire not to change the atmosphere of Barrots Park. That
desire came from Council hers' own remarkable sensitivities to Herron
Park residents' needs. She expressed her appreciation to the Council
for setting a precedent which will sake it easier for subsequent City
Councils to pursue the same policy. She said that many Barron Park
residents may find it necessaryto approach the Council* sberm with
questions or problems in the future and if they crime to Councilnembers
as individuals, she rasa trusting the Co ilmembers to show the same
sensitivity and imagination that they are portraying now.
Mayor Norton conmented that the Couacii.rna bers would try very hard to do
as Mrs. Whittemore had suggested. He welcomed all the residents of
Barron Park to the City of Palo Alto. He said Council will now canvass
the returns of the Special "Barron Park" Annexation Election, held on
Tuesday, November er 4, 1975.
Mayor Norton appointed Councils beers Witherspoon and Ey'erly to conduct
the canvass of the returns. Re stated the record should show that the
City Clerk has on hand the following items for eons inatioe by the Canvass
Board:
i) Results of Votes Cast in Consolidated Precincts #1 and #2
and results of abut voter ballots.
it) Affidavits of Publication.
iii) Certificate of Verification of Signatures of caters Voters,
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The proposition submitted to the electors of Barron Park in English and
in Spanish, as required by the Voting Rights Act, was as follows:
"Shall the territory known as 'Barron Park' be annexed to,
incorporated in, and made a part of the City of Palo Alto?"
"LSe debe anexar, incorporar y debe former pate de la
Ciudad de Palo Alto el distrito conocido core el nomber
de Parque Barron?"
Mayor Norton reported the whole number of ballots cast in the "Barron
Park" territory at said special annexation election, including absentee
ballots, was 1,414; further, that the total number of votes cant at
said special annexation election, including votes cast upon absentee
ballots, for the annexAtion measure was 936; the total number of votes
cast against the annexation saeaeure was 478. The majority of the votes
teat was in favor of the annexation
The Canvass Board completed its inspection and signed the various
documents.
MOTION: :Mayor Norton introduced the following resolution, and moved,
seconded by Eyerly, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 5161 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE
SPECIAL ANNEXATION ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 1975"
The notion adopting the resolution passed on a unanimous vote.
MOTION: Councilman Beahrs introduced the following ordinance, and moved,
seconded by Comstock, its adoption:
ORDINANCE NO. 2884 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF
WE CITY CF PALO ALTO APPROVING THE SPECIAL ANNEXATION
ELECTION 14ELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 1975"
as an urgency measure, effective November 10, 1975.
The nation adopting the ordinance as en urgency measure, to be effective
November 10, 1975, pesesed on a euanimoue vote.
•
/J/ \ // ■
}
FR ICW: Councilman Comstock introduced the following ordinance and
moved, sect by Norton, its approval for first reading:
"ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY Old PALO ALTO
APPROVING AND ADOPTING A PLAN LOR THE IMPROMENT OF
EL CA INO PARXIe
Councilmen Eyerly said he took some time over the weekend to look at
Camino.. Perk. Re had ewe questions and be would therefore like to see
this matter referred to the Fianna and Public Works Committee for
further study. Re asked staff if the bid that was made use good for
thirty days. Mr. Sipel said bin guess would be that the bid would
be good for thirty days but not much leaser these that. A more asiga i--
ficant problem is that of scheduling the construction during the off-
season. That is the reason staff suggested that action be taken
tonight. If the matter is deleyad for the next thirty days, it will
run into the next bell season. He reiterated the problem but said if
referral to Committee was Council's ple►ssars, that is what - stall' could
do.
El
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Councilman Eyerly asked Councilman Berwald if it was possible to study
the issue at the next meeting of the Finance and Public Works Committee?
Councilman Berweld's response was affirmative.
Councilman Et rly said he had looked at the soccer fields at most of the
high schoo4s AO colleges in the area and he did nut believe that the
soccer field a.: El Camino Park was that bad. He commented that the
baseball diamond sar upgraded a few years back; a new infield was put in
and now staff wants it to be replaced. He said he checked the Little
League ballpark at Middlefield Road and the Saylands ballpark and he
said the Baylends ballpark is approaching a condition similar to El
Camino Park. Re said maintenance of these recreational facilities should
be looked into. He said he is reluctant to spend the money on El Camino
Park,
SUBSTITUTE MOT/OR: Councilman Eyerly moved, seconded by Berweld, to
refer to the Finance and Public Works Committee the ordinance and award
of contract relating to El Camino Park Improvements.
Councils= Comstock said regarding the 30 -day period, he assumed Mr.
Sipel meant thirty days from the da'.e of the opening bid. He referred
to the staff report that said the date of opening of bids was October 29.
Mr. Sipel said that would be the starting date, but if there was a
problem of a week or so, he was sere staff could get an extension from
the low bidder. If extension was not possible, staff would notify
Council as soon as they were informed of this. He said the next Finance
and Public Works Committee meeting was scheduled for November 18 atld the
matter would return to Council December 15.
Councilman Sher said that El Camino Park improvements is a project that
was considered last year through the Capital Improvement Program, and
the amount budgeted for it was $145,000. The amount of the low bid was
substantially belcv that, even with the alternates that were included.
All councilme`✓mbers believed when the project wale approved that it wns
worthwhile and needed. He said staff was simply following through oe
the decision that was made earlier when they solicited these bide. In
reference to Councilman Eyerly's concerua, Councilmen Sher said he
would like to hear a response from staff.
Keith Brest, Director, Recreation Department, responded that one of the
main reasons for reconditioning El Canino bark is for safety purposes.
The American Youth Soccer Organisation refuses to play on the soccer
field because of the gopher holes and the problems of the players
falling and injurying themselves, On the softball diamond, there wee
one ease of a broken leg this year and several sprained aukise. The
irrigation eystem itself is over fifty years old. The new lesign for
an automatic irrigation system would relieve some of the park personnel
of going out to the parks to water the fields. The infisld that
Councilman Eyerly referred to is a makeshift infield that was brought
in due to the dent problem. The project itself mostly consists of a
new irrigation system, seeding and sodding of the area, and the bicycle
path along El Camino Park.
Councilman Sher said it vans his recollection that these were snub needed
improvements to regenerate El Camino Park and make it a wife and *Adequate
facility. These improvements, along with the bicycle path that would
complete the path along El Cassino, were necessary and he vas opposed
to the referral motion:.
Councilmen Carey suggested continuing this matter to the next Council
meeting rather than referring it to the Finance and Public Works
Comuittee. He said he realized the sense of urgency to edjourn. He
stated that if councilmenbers had questions and wanted to pursue the
issue through the evening, bm believed the best alternative was to
coast im* that matter and to keep it at the Coil level.
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11110173
Councilman Berwald said he would vote for the referral motion. If
it did not pass, he would vote for continuance.
The referral motion failed on the following vote:
AYES: Beaters, Berwald, Eyerly, Witherspoon
*TOES: Carey, Clay, Comstock, Norton, Sher
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Councilman Beaters moved, seconded by Berwald, that
the diecuesion on El Camino Paris: Amendment to Park Dedication
Ordinance and Improvements: Award of Construction Contract, be
continued for one week to the next regular Council meeting.
The motion to continue passed on the following vote:
AYES: Beaters, Berwald, Carey, Clay, Eyerly, Norton, Witherspoon
NOES: Comstock, Sher
MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Bevw 1d, to continue
all remaining items of the November 10 meeting to the next regular
Council meeting, November 17, 1975.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
AlialtaltalamilTrjargarlalarifaisgifit
MOTION: Mayor Norton moved, seconded by Comstock, that thr Council
adjourn to Executive Session.
The motion passed on a unani oua vote.
jaliagjamiagga
The Council recessed the meeting of November 10, 19733 at 9:30 p.m. to
Executive Session to discuss litigation.
SLUM
The Esecntive Se:eaion and the sating of November 10, 1975, adjourned at
11;30 p.m.
Ar ES 1 :
APPROVE:
City Clerk Mayor
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