HomeMy WebLinkAbout12151975CITY
COUNCIL
MINUTE5
Regular Meeting
December 15, 1975
IT(
Special Executive Session re litigation
Minutes of der 17, 1975
Oral Communications
Willow Road Improvement Project---Dssignatioa of Aliment
Contract with Senior Coordinating Council
Veterans' Building: Bid Award For Reroofing and Repair Wcrk
Dissolution of the Barron Park Firs District
Designation of a Firs Zone for Barron Park
1976-77 Community Development Funding
Compensation Plan for Fire Department Employees
ICC Resolution re County/City Balsa Tax Matter
Request of Councilman Bereald re usage Parlors, Places of
Questionable Moral Zntertaiasant and Pornographic Liter4ture
and lila Outlets
Request to Carmel Meeting of mar 22
Adjournaurat
CITY
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PALO
ALTO
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Special Executive Session
December 15, 1975
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this dater at 6:45 p.m.
Sin a special executive session to discuss litigation.
Present: 3sabrst Berwald, Carey, Cloy, Comstock,
Eyerly, Norton, gher, Witherspoon
Abst:wit : None
Mr. Robert K. Booth, City Attorney, sad Georg* Sipple City Manager,
were also present. The Special Executive Session wits adjourned at
8:04 p.m.
ATTEST
1 ,
City Clerk
4 9 1
12/15/75
APPROVE'
hayor
„eth.v,
December 15, 1975
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 8:05 p.m.
in 4 regular meeting with Mayor Norton presiding.
Present: $sabrs, Berwald, Carey, Clay,
Comstock, Eysrly, Norton, Sher,
Witherspoon
Absent: Hone
CF M
CCUnciian Eye:ay referred to page 394 and requested that "two hundred"
on the eighth line of the fifth paragraph be corrected to "twenty".
Councilman Sher sulked that than typographical error after the words
"wee set" in the fifth line of the seventh paragraph on page 394
be de1st;aad.
MOT1gMs Councilmen Esahrs mo 4, seconded by Comstock, that the
Rinotes of the meeting of November 17, 1973 be approved 46 corrected.
The notion passed on a unanimous vote.
eta Claus, North Pole, greed the Mayor and ell of
his little helpers. Ms said that actually, he was a )Aacabes
held over by a Haeukkah snow storm; but he titled himself
Santa Claus on the audience participation card is order
to avoid confusion. Mr. C1sus stated that during his
annual trip to celleet ree nests, be noticed a tall, lees
tree; and had been informed that tree marked Vale Alto.
Before coatis on his lourusy, be decided to stop and
wish the Council mad ell of the citisene of the wit
a Merry Christmas a 4 a s Rem Year.
Nayor Morten thanked Mr. Clams for to pia8 a . need ' hs said
be was glad the tall tree bed caught his eye.
1. Joyce Ivsrsol, speaking for the Committee for the Garden
Patio at the Cultural Center, receded that about four
years ago the City Council put forward the money to carry
out the landscaping of the Garden Patio at the Cultural
Caster. The florets and the Garden Club of Palo Alto
combined efforts, under the leadership of Allan 1 rosgacr s,
to raise enough money to reimburse the city. llt+s. tvsrsoi
presented s clench in the amount of $3,601.13 to Mayor
Morton.
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Mayor Norton, on behalf of the Council and the city, thanked
the Garden Club for their check. He said that ha! 'realised
how much time and effort had gone into this project, and
the results were commendable, Mayor Norton noted that
it was a rare thing for the city to be reimbursed for
investments of this sort, and the return of the money
was very much appreciated.
!. = TO BUNG I 4
N e .0 1 ON TQR AGENDA
MOTION: Councilman Bezwald moved, seconded by Clay, that Item 4 on the
agenda concerting the Willow Road Improvement Project, be brought for
consideration at this time.
The motion passed on a unanioaeus vote.
ROAD IM?RO T _--
:545:5)
Councilman Sher stated that he would not participate it3 :he discussion
or voting on this subject because he was ar% employee of Stanford
University, and the University was involved in the project in several
ways, Councilman Sher left the meeting and did not return.
Mayer Norton reported for the record that Peter Carpenter, Planning
Caeeaiesioner, did not participate in the Planning Commission discussions
on Willow Road because he is an employee of Stsnford University.
Mayor Norton thought it would be appropriate to start the meeting
with a report from Emily Renee', who was representing the Plaenniog
Commission.
Ma. Iienael stated that Council had received the Planning Commission
recommendations, so she would just briefly outline the Commission's
position. The pria+sry recommendation for the Quarry/Arboretum connection
to Ell. Camino with a possible new coMbined intersection at El Canino
vas based on several factors. (1) It is approximately squally distant
to go north or to go south of the €hspping Center to connect to El
Camino. (2) Arboretum and Quarry Roads are etisting dedicated public
rights -of -way, so land acquisition costa would be mttf*lssd. (3)
This alternative with a new intersection would take only marginally
used Shopping Cantor parking spaces -'hares which have as their closest
point et the canter the Emporium loading dock. (4) By combining
the intersection with the Shopping Center intereectUon, there would
tbsn be only one intersection instead of two in that short distance
on El Camino, thereby easing traffic flint on El Canino,
. :eel said that eltio4 gha the vote varse three in favor, one opposed,
and two abetentioan for the Commission's second choice aelternetive,
all but one Comel esionsr participating isn the October 15th meet _:
expressed support either sae as first or seed choice, for Alternative
Two with Aligneent A as des ribed on Figure 13 folly page a in
the EIS. (This is the t 1► conneetl.on to El vino from Arboretum.)
There was general agreement with the consultant's opinion that the
intersections rather than the 'lumber of lanes controlled the capacity
of the road, and U vas oleo the can>fana/taat's strong opinian that
there would be no gr t induced traffic. The Commission felt this
was the least environmentally damaging of the alternatives alternatives and alignments
north of the Shopping Canter. The potential loess of parking spaces
could be reduced to only fifty-seven, which is mall compered to
the over four hundred end fifty spaces projected to be lost in the
Shopping Center's owe expansion.
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12/15/75
Ms. Renzel reported that finally, the Commission expressed a sense
motion supporting those alignments, regardless of the alternatives,
which do not cut through the trees and which follow the border of
the parking lot as expressed in Alignment A.
Mayor Norton thanked Ms. Renzel and suggested that staff outline
what was before Council and what was recommended from the staff's
point of view.
Son Pawloski, Director of Public Worms, stated that in order to arrive
at a decision on an alignment staff considered alternatives (1),
(2) and (3). Alternative (1) was a four4lane wide, ninety -foot right, -
of -way, from Sand Rill Rood -Santa Cruz Avenue intersections to o Arboretum
Road and its eight alternative extension alignments between Arboretum
Road and El Camino deal that have varying right-of-wsp widths, A
through H, and five intersection schemes at El Camino Real, Humbert
(1) through (5). Alternative (2) provided for a four -lane widening
from the Sand Rill Road -Santa Cruz Avenue intersection to Arboretum
Road and a two-lane extension from Arboretum Road to E1 Camino Real,
roughly following the westbound lane of Alignment A. Alte tive
(3) was tha widening of Willow Road to thanes lanes from the Send
Hill Road -Santa Cruz Avenue intersection to Pasteur Dive and changing
to two lanes from Pasteur Drive to Arboretum Road, and then extending
Will ► Road from Arboretum Rod to El Camino Real with two lanes
roughly following the westbound lace of Alignment A. ML. Pawloski
said that in addition to those three altsrnativsa, staff also considered
the impacts and mitigation measures that were previously identified.
These are attached to the staff report and are identified as Exhibits
(A), (B) and (C). Staff also considered traffic and the ability
of the proposed alignment and the cross inaction to meet present demands
and projected needs while providing a reasonable level of traffic
service.
Mr. Pewloski stated that ste►ff has consistently advocated Alternative
(I) , Alignment (D) , for tha eztaasion of Willow Road from Arboretum
Road to El Camino Real for three rayons. First of all, the staff
felt that Alignment (P) provided a visual buffer of trees between
Willow Road and the Shopping Center. Secondly, the route through
the trees provides a pleasant visual impact to those .in Willow
Road. Thirdly, the *ligament doss not encroach on the Shopping Center
parking lot et anticipated access points, thus sdniaising potential
adverse impacts with on -sits traffic circulation. Mr. Pawloski reported
that as a result of further study of all of the alignments proposed
for this project, staff eras ltd to the conclusion that a modification
to Alert (D) should be considered. In reality eight different
alignments through this grove area have bean recommended, but staff
tit there was an opportunity to consolidate some of the more
desirable features of some of the alignments and develop an alignment
which could be called "Alignment D - Modified". For the purposes
of the staff report., this alit would be referred to as Alignment I.
Proposed Alignment I could be considered a fine tuning of Alignment
D. Alit I would extend from Arboretum Road to just beyond the
saetxaec4 to Children's Hospital in identically those same wey as shy
on a1l the previous alignments. It would have four canes with a
median strip and two bike paths2 c one on each side cf the vehicular
travelled envy. Prom there it would follow Aliments G and H to
a poiast opposite the northsaat corner of that I. Magnin store. At
this point the saline end graeuaally ester the parking lot so
as to provide * sweeping right-bam4 turn into E1 Camino Real. Extensive
is decspiaag of the intersection the could be effected and the visual
qualities improved. In addition to a bike path on each side, pedestrian
.ad bicycle is st the Willow Road-.; Caem1 o asel intsi kion, ^
et gam, be secomodated by a signalise r e . With
49
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12/15/73
regard to the intersection at El Camino Real, Mr. Pawloski pointed
out that any intersection developed there would be subject to approval
by the California Department of Transportation. Staff was asking
that it receive an assignment from Council to develop the best possible
alignment within the broad outlines jest described. Alignment i
as shown on Exhibit E indicates only the limits of the right-of-way,
and staff hat not had the opportunity to work out the design detail.
Staff wanted towork out those details and bring them back to the
City Council for approval.
Mt. Pavloski continued his report by discussing project costs in
general taxes. The costs reported in the August 15, 1974 staff report
were at the level of 5.7 million dollars, and that amount was based
oo a four -lane roadway from the Sand Hill/Santa Cruz intersection
to El Camino Real. It would specifically involve two 124 -foot travel
lanes in each directions, a 14 -foot landscaped median, atd 13 --foot
parkweys with 8 -foot wide surfaced pedestrian and bicycle paths on
each side of the road, all of which would be within a 90 -foot right-
of-way. Many subsequent suggestions and ideas have evolved, and
none of those have been reflected in the initial cost estimate.
There ie a Heed= therefore, to lo beck and revive the cost estimate
based on the decisions mad_ at this meeting. Furthermore, the initial
cost estimate was based on construction beginning in the spring of
1975. Mr. Paw1oski commented that, as proposed, the project is to
be financed through e special Assessment District. About ninety
percent of the project would in financed through .the District with
ether participating, agencies. In taalkine about financing and participation
from other agencies, be thought it would be best to discuss various
segments of the roadway. Between the Sand Hill Road/Santa Crux! Avenue
intersection and San Franoisquito Creek, it is anticipated that there
would be cost participation from the City of Menlo Park. Referring
to the Seas Francisr;uito Creme Bridge, Mr. Pawloaki, acid the original
cost east mate of 6.7 million dollars included $260,000 for widening
the bridges or for construction of another bridge adjacent to the
ezistieg one. He added that that cost was included in the suggested
cost participation on the part of the city; ado the $260,000 was part
of the $670,000 which vas suggested as the city's coat participation.
That portion of the highway from Oak Creek Apartments to Arboretum
Road is to be financed by Stanford University as a result of an agreement
bets the University and the city. Between Arboretum and El Camino
Taal, the suggestion was that the city pay one-third of the cost
of improvements only. Eased on studies done, staff was aware that
one-third of the traffic involved vas through traffic; and so it
was felt that one-third of the i'aprovemert costs should be borne
by the city. Hite. Paavloski explained that all, of the land costs throughout
the project, including that section from Arboretum Road to El Camino
Real, have been seamed to be amassed against the District and the
bensfitting property owners. The costs for the intersection at Bl
Camino Real and Willow Road were aplit up on the baaai4 of cost participation
between the State Highway Depavmant, tha Assessment District, and
the city. It was assumed that the California Transportation Department
would pay for two of tha these "lege" at that intersection. The
coat for t ae would be $126,000; and the city's share would be $21,000.
Pasticulerly with regard to these costs, the indications are that
due to the serious budget cutbecks in the Highway D epsrtaei.t, their
cost participation would be ainia<s.l if not at all. The point Mt.
Paeleski was making was that if any coat participant.dropped out
of the project, those costs ceelt .bs transferred to the Assessment
District.
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12/15/75
Speaking to preliminary project planning from this point forward,
Mr. Pawloski noted there was an existing appropriation with a balance
of $23,000 which could be used for the preparation of preliminary
plans reflecting decisions made by Council at this meeting. In addition,
i project cost estimate and a preliminary amassment spread would
be prepared since there wee a need for all of the participant' in
the Di,,trict to have some idea of what their financial burden would
be. In the interest of einixising coats, staff believed it should
not outer into the final cousultant selection procedure until decisions
were made on the preliminary design.
With regard to immediate implementation stapler 'Where were three actions
which staff recoemended that City Council talus. The first wee that
Council designate a specific alignment between Arboretum load and
RI Cassino Real. In November of 1974, Council approved in concept
the idea of a four -laser roadway from Sand Mill Road/Senta Cru, Avenue
intersection to Arboretum Road, Mr. Pawlocki thought that at this
meeting Council should reconfirm that particular approval, Secondly,
there were two Reeolutiocis for Council approval which requested extraterritorial
jurisdiction from Santa Clara County and the City of Menlo Park.
Attached to the Resolutiouae were Resolutions of Prslimieax)y Deeerminetion
and of Intention which were to be ep;-roveed in form only by the County
and by Menlo Park, The reeean for thin is so that there two bodies
will have soma idea of hoer Palo Alto intends to proceed with the
project. Mr. Peeloski explained that approval of the Resolutions
of Preliminary Determination and of Intention would be requested
later during the Aaseseasnt District Procsedinge. The third recommended
implementation step was for Council to authorise staff to prepare
preliminary pleee, ae preliminary cost estimate, and a tentative easeeeme t
spread !wised on t,a decisions made tonight.
Mayor Norton, in order to clarify the elide depicting Alternate I,
asked Mr. Paavloaeki if he were correct in understanding that the dark -
lines showed the oiit*sme*t limits of the entire project, including
bicycle trails end pedestrian paths outside of the roadway end going
in both directions.
Mr. Tawlosbi said Mayor Norton'• interpretation was correct. Ne
added that the 040 obvioaas dip in OM of the dark lines had been
doe with the intention of saving scans trees, The final design say
have a fear such irrsguleritiss to accommodate the saving of tress.
Kalov Norton said him nest *mutton bad to do with clarification
of the main difference bets Alternate D sad the modified Alternate
I. It appeared to him that the main difference was that staff wee
roc ise *having the northern boundary of the right-of-way further
from the creek and bringing it south so that so that it would actually
go through a career of the existing pavement co the south; whereas',
in the o t iaal Alignment D, that was not the case. .
Mar. Paewlo*ki rsspmed ed that there were really two differences. One
new to pull the alignment down is order to preserve more of the open,
uadsysloped arse; aced in addition, at the iatmrssetiaa staeff had
puled dam the alignment and created a flers in order to accommodate
a right -turn game et sepa nets from the resaesineing lass. With regard
to the latter, flu. Pawloski said that as previously proposed, there
were five lines of asphalt that ward enter the intersection. By
wig np the throat of the intersection, staff would then have
the ability to install islands end landscaping end seeks that arrangement
more aesthetically pleesine.
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11/13/73
Councilman Beahre asked if it were possible for the county to be
involved in this project. The wools thing had dragged along to the
point where the possibility of state involvement was minimal.
Mr. Pavloaiki replied th4t the indications wart the county would not
be involved. The roadway was not shown an any of the county system.
Councilman Beahrs aekad Ms. Rangel what the impact mould be of ivjactirrg
a heavy flow of traffic in the southerly route which the Commission
proposed. His fear vas that such a routs would caus* more traffic
to spill into Embcrcedero Road which vas already suffocated with
morn than tv.ntyrono thousand cars each day. He also asked what
the impact would be on University Avenue from a traffic standpoint.
Ms. Ra ngel said that the Commission did not have specific traffic
figures, but it prasumed that the traffic which would flow on the
Quarry/krborst m connection would be roughly simile and equivalent
to that which would come in at the Willow Road connection north of
that Shopping Center. Staff indicated that possibly some of these
cars would continue south on Arboretum rather than take the Quarry
Road exit to El Camino. The general indication watt that most of
the eastbound traffic on the Willow connection would be headed north
rather than south.
Councilman Beahre thought it woe too bad to Aare a project of this
magnitude an the basis of presumptions, His own ccnclueion vas that
the Commission's recommendation would rssult in aggravating the horrendous
traffic problems which central Palo Alto already suffers.
Vice Mayor Clay, referring to the modified Alternate » and the route
that takes a swooping right turn on El Camino as it goes through
the parking lot, asked if that route would go over currently paved
roadway or if it would cut across parking stalls.
Mt. Pavloski responded that there were some parking stalls involved.
Vice Mayor Clay asked how any stalls would be lost if the roadway
were built according to this particular alternate.
Mr. Pavloski explained that staff bad not 441 yet gotten into those
detaiiz.
Councilwoman Wit orapoo * asked if there would be an advantage in
having the bicycls panes on both sides of the rod or if ttbere would
be mere advantage in having them cambieaed with tits pedestrian pates
on the crook side.
Mr. l.vlo,kf responded that utaff really felt it was vsces.ary to
have bicycle paths on both sides of the roadway.
Councilwoman W+ithorspoon did not ace how they would communicate with
each other except at 11 Camino or Arboratwan, and she arasksd if that
wsa mare the depressed tunas' would be.
Mr. paalocki said there was an opportunity all along Willow loud
for crossing from .rue side to the other.
Councilwoman Witherspoon catenated that in Ali, aunt D, gaits close
to the iatsr*.ctisn, there was a dotted lives shown on tbs drawing
which was labeled "potential undsrcroasing"1
4
12/13/73
Mr. Pewloski commented that staff recommended in its proposal that
that not be done, and that there be a crossing at the signal lights.
Councilwomen Witherspoon asked if et some future date Council would
have a athematic drawing showing the bridge at the other end of the
road. ,She was somewhat concerned because the divided four -lane road
would have to be constricted as it approached the creek because Menlo
Park's four --lanes were contiguous.
Ht. Pawloski explained that a widening WAS proposed on the southerly
side of Sand Hill Road between the creek and the Sand Hill/Santa
Cruz intersection.
Councilwoman Witherspoon thought there would be a problem at that
end, too, with the pedestrian/bicycle creasing.
Mr. Pawloski said that as be recalled, there were no deaignated bicycle
path in the sectiota between the creek and that intersection.
Councilwoman Witherspoon asked if the bicycle paths would go from
Santa Cruz Avenue to El Camino Real.
Mr. Pawloski responded that that area was outside of the city, and
he was not familiar with those plat's.
Councilwomen Witherspooe asked if this were sometbiag for which staff
needed Council direction. In *that words, if Council wanted to have
bicycle ;sathe the whole way, was that something that should be indicated
*ow.
Mr. Pawloski said the intent would be to work the whole thing out
so that the systems would tie together, but he did not know what
had been done on the matter ac of this date.
Referring to the !l Camino intersection Councilwoman Witherspoon
noted that there ware about five possible schemes for the right eagle
approach of Willow Road to El Casein Real, end she asked if Alternats
I would come closest to Schema 3 which has as island be en the
iants.
Mr. Pa vloski thought ti:1 c was so, but those pleas were very schematic;
and staff wanted to have the opportunity of getting into that subject
in design detail aa`sd casing back to Council for approval.
Councilman Comstock asked when Alternate I was developed.
Mt. Pawloski replied that staff put Alternate I together in the last
few weeks.
Councilman Comstock assumed than that this was not something which
had been reviewed by the Planning Commission,
Mr. P vloski said that was correct.
Councilman Caaetock concluded that only the boundaries et the right-
of-way were bed sheen on the drawing because staff did not know
ea precisely mere the road would so in Alternate I as it did for
the other alternates.
Mx. Pewlo.ki stated that Councilman Costock's conclusion was correct.
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12/13/73
M Councilman Comstock understood it, staff wanted Council to give
it instructions to provide an equivalent amount of detail for Alternate
I.
tor. Pawloski said that was correct.
Councilman Comstock asked how long that would take.
Mr. Pawloski thought that process would take six to eight weeks.
Councilman Comstock asked if staff wore saying that it wanted Council
to direct it to proceed with this ono alternate and forget about
the others, or if it were flaying that it wanted. Council to direct
it to develop Alternata.1 to the -same level of detailing as the others
aea a decision could then .be made among all of the alternates.
Mr. Pawloski said staff was asking Council to specifically choose
au alignment
Councilmen Comstock asked if staff were asking that Alignment I be
chosen.
tyir. Pawloski responded that that erne the staff recommendation.
With regard to mitigation of noise, etc., Councilman Comato.:k asked
if this were the appropriate time for Council to be giving direction
or if there were a more appropriate time in the future for such action.
For instance, staff commented that noise barriers were a way of cutting
down thi increased levels of noise that would occur near the golf
course. If Council wanted staff to go ahead with that kind of mitigation,
Councilman Comstock wanted to know if it should say so it this meeting.
Kr. Pawloski cos anted that staff indicated in its report that wherever
poasiblsr it wanted to incorporate the mitigation maaaores that have
boon sugg.eted; and staff intended to do something about the specific
problem which Councilman Comstock asntio ad.
Councilman Comstock neitirated that he rally wanted to know if directions
in the area of mitigation should be given tonight.
Mt. Pavloski explained that he hesitated only because be did not
want to burden Ceumcilmeeabora with the task of doing the design.
Councilman Mock amid he shied not want to mina the chance of bringing
up this issue if tonight wore the appropriate time to do it. He
woo trying to be certain that six month* from now, staff would not
say that the mitigation auggastio s should haws been "ado earlier
because they bad to be part of the cost of the project.
$r. Pawloski thought od,quate direction would be for Council to say
that wherever possible, nitigotion ssasurs s with regard to nole*,
vegetation, vi1dlifet, prmserrmtion of trees, and archeo1.ogice.1 findings
should be incorporated into the project. It was staff's intention
of incorporating into the project all of the hit# tfom *frosts that
it reasouably could. If Councilman Comstock had some specific conctorna,
ltr. Pavl.00ki thouebt staff should hear then.
Conmcilmon Comstock wonted to known how, if Council give such geooral
direction, it would Unow which ones staff uiti etsly docidad could
bas r ably included.
4!!
Mr. Pawloski responded that staff could report back to Council on
those mitigation efforts which are incorporated into the project.
Councilmen Comstock asked whether there would be enough time to effect
changes if Council told staff, when it reported back, to include
m.ti;aation efforts which it had left out.
Per. Pawlooki replied that that would have to be done early in the
process se there would not be significant changes* in any of the deaigne,
and he thought that could be worked out.
Councilman Comstock explained chat he was trying to work out a feedback
process so that Council would find out what mitigation meaaures staff
was planning in time to say whether it agreed or disagreed with chose
which were chosen,
Me. Pawloski felt that evidence of staff's intent was shin in Exhibit
A. Staff thought it would be helpful to include those mitigatiou
measures along with the report, and they took the time necessary
to pull all of them out of the EIR so they would be easily usable.
Coenctlman Comstock felt from the various reports which had come
from staff, that they had made the judgment that some of the msasurea
olght to be passed on. Councilman. Comstock asked if the report received
by Council and the Planning Commission this week on Alternate I was
the first exposure which the Commission had to it.
Ms. Renzel said that was correct.
Mayor Norton thought it appropriate to point out that Alternates
A through G, which were before the Planning Commission, certainly
included the changes which were reflected in Alternate I as it changed
Alternate D. In his opinion, the Planning Commissioa was invited
to come up with this kind of a configuration or seething which it
tit old be better; and Council did not receive that help from
them. Mayor Norton vas not sure that a failure to refer the matter
again to the Planning Commission would make much difference.
Ns. Rommel responded that the Planning omission did recommend Alignment A
both for Alternative Two and as an alignment for the other alternatives.
flavor Norton assumed that referring Alignment 1 to the Commission
mold not substantially chime its reaction.
Me. 'tonsil noted that the Commission did not have Aligramant 1 to
free with Alit A.
Mayor Morton asked If AliAlisnmeot I were referred to the Canniest=
whether that would sake any difference to that body its its decision.
Ms. Reosel said a great nu bsz of analyses wire given for each of
the sli ts is terse of the der of tress that would be take*,
the amber of parking space* lost, etc.; and th. Commission dial mot
have the benefit of that informatioefor Alignment I.
Councilman *srvald asked how loog it would ;ak ► staff to develop
colored schemittic drawings for Alternate 1 at the same level of sophistication
that bad been donee for the other al.t.gsemeots.
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12/13/73
Mr. Pawloski thought that could be done in a few weeks.
Councilman Berwald was concerned with some of the comments Mr. Pawloski
heat made. First of all, he wanted to speak to the relative value
of land that lies within the north and south roadways and that which
lies between the creek: and the nearest night -of -way. It seemed to
hiss that the use of the /and between the roadways for recreational
purposes was a marginal use because of fumes, dust, noise, and the
natural barriers of the roadway itself. He asked for staff comments
about .wing the two roads closer together such as had been done
in Alignments G. H, F, and eons of the others, versus spreading them
wider apart. The other point Councilman Berwald wanted staff to
cover vas hoar such land there vas between the top of the creek bank
and the nearest right-of-way in each cf the vaerious plans.
Mr. Pavlrski responded that the minimum width of the median would
be fourteen feet, and the only reason staff made that any wider .in
this particular stretch vas to save trees. The alignments shown
were several different approaches to demonstrate various impacts
by pulling closer to the parking lot, going across the parking lot,
or moving more in a northwesterly direction. To give Councilman
B,ervald en idea of the acreage involved, Mx. Pawloski said the grove
area -- that area westerly of the Stanford Shopping Center parking
lot -. bounded by the creek, El C,aaino, and the Children's Hospital
was roughly nine acres. A ninety foot roadway going through that
parcel of land and maintaining a ianiforra width of median would require
taking a little more than three and one-half acres. Mr, Pawloeki
thought that would give some idea of the acreage involved and the
absolutes minis and maxituunks that could be dealt with.
Councilman B-eras*ld asked how mach lagd there was between the two
rights-of-wey in Alternate I.
Mt. Pawloski guessed that would be four acres.
Councilman Bervald asked what the narrowest widths was that was left
between the roadway and the top of the beak of the creek in Alternate
I.
Mr. Peedoski said those kinds of cslcuhatioars had not bean made,
but be thought the narrowest width would be approximately forty feet.
Councilman 3.rvaid asked ht. Pawloski what his aseessment of the
uaefu7.►�ess of the land would h be if it were to be used as creekside
park.
Mr. Pawloski responded that in the prelinleary eppreisat that was
done far the acquisition of the right-of-way, it wee assumed that
some of the laid remnielug would be unusable; end there would be
se were nee damages se involved. Undoubtedly, free El Camino in a southerly
directions, there is a portion of land that would not be useable becstuse
of lack of depth.
Councilman Bsrewild stated t•iaat he had no question its his mind that
this general alignment is superior to the Arboretum/Quarry alignment.
however, be did not foal that at this point the information given
n Alternate 1 was sufficisiat to enable Council to respond negatively
or affirmatively to staff's recommendation that it be given a "yes"
or "to`" on that particular slit.
Councilman Zyerly asked if be understood Mr. Paevleski to say that
the city' a psrceetage of coots for property for three roadipey and for
seeereace dame* ewe teem permit
501
12/15/75
Mr. Pawloski explained that from Arboretum Road to El C icu Renal,
the city's share was assumed at one-third of the cost of roadway
improvements. No cost of acquisition would be borne by the city
since that would be asseaaed against the District.
Councilman Eyerly asked if there would be landscaping along the parking
lot next to El Camino near the intersection as shown on Alignment 1.
Mr. Pawloski replied that would be staff's intention, but he could
not say how that would be worked out until the details were studied.
Councilman Eyerly asked if staff were planning to have a pedestrian/bicycle
crossing at El Canino with proper signalling on both sides.
Mt. Pavloakia.i commented that there were some problems with pedestrian
movements at that intersection. He explained that it would be difficult
to provide for pedestrian and bicycle amovesente on the northerly
side of El Camino at Willow Road. Mr. Pawloski showed on the screen
a schematic drawing, subject to the approval of the state, to give
Council an idea of what could be done at that intersection. Because
of the very heavy left -turn movement northbound on El Canino Real,
a crossing could not be built in on that side of the intersection.
Therefore, the movement would have to he a southerly crossing on
Willow Road and then a crossing of El Camino in whichever direction
someone wanted to proceed.
Councilman Carey asked if Mr. Pawloski knew whether Alternate D or
Alternate 1 required the removal of more trees.
Mr. Pawloski said a tree count had not been made, but he hoped that
Alternate I would take fewer trees.
Councilman Carey aesumsd that Alternate D took no existing parking
from tb' Shopping Center.
Mr. Pawloski stated that was corroct,
Councilmen Carey concluded from the drawing that Alternate I would
take some parking stalls.
Mr. Pawloski said that wild be the case.
Councilman Carey did not thick that it looked as though a stgs<i,.f icaut
number of parking spaces would be taken.
k#r. k"ase'l o.ki agreed end said tbera would have to be some rearranging
of the a ►1s and the parking stalls.
Councilman Carey assumed the loss of perking would be fairly mil.
Mr. Paa►ioski toot bt it could work out that way.
Councilman Carer asked if Mr. Powloskai knew tbs difference in total
114V44441 taken between Alternate D and Alternate I.
lftr. Psrloski rempondsd that he did not have those figures et this
time.
Councilmen Carey understood from one of Kr. Pemloekie s earlier statements
that U* ninety foot roadway mould take three o f o f acres.
502
12/4/75
.---.. •- .--r . v. ' s'+,, .•-w , •
Mr. Pawioaki explained that a ninety -foot roadway wit:;, a constant
median would take about three and one-half acres through the area
which he had defined as "the grove".
Councilman Carey said that in other words, pushing the two lanes
of traffic close together would result in taking three and one-half
acres out of nine. He asked if Mr. Pawloaki could make a rough estimate
of ghat the acreage take would be in A1terr.atea D and I.
Mr. Pawloskl replied that he did not know for certain, but his guess
would be about four acres.
Councilman Carey concluded then that an additional half acre wale
being talked about as an estimate.
Mr. Pawloski said that wee his guess.
Mayor Norton invited members of the audience to address Council OD
this subject.
Michael lrynctak, 1547 Walnut Drive., President of the Stanford Merchants'
Association, said that the Association had urged the city over the
yeas to grant the Stanford Shopping Centex soma relief from the
traffic congestion that exists in that area of Palo Alto. He noted
that all the studies' and all the consultants had indicated that Willow
Road is clearly inadequate, and it feeds into the Shopping Center
thousands of vehicles which are seeking only to find their way to
El Camino Real. Mr. Hrynceak said the merchants at the Stanford
Shopping Center were greatly pleased that the City Council favors
the concept of widening and exten'ling Willow Road. They also were
deeply grateful that the Council rejected a proposal to divert the
flow of cars destined for El Camino Real on to Arboretum and Quarry
Roads and out at the Center's front entrance= This would have split
the; Shopping Center down the middle and would have wed through
traffic with local traffic, and the latter was one of tho problems
that the project is intended to solve. The position of the Association
winthat the Willow Road project was badly needed and long overdue,
and traffic experts all were in agreement on that point. Mr. Mry:i.sak
stated that virtually all of the major agencies along the route -
the same groups that will pay most of the coat of the project - want
Willow Road widened and extended. The Shopping Cen=ter customers
and esployeee want better access. Re raid that a Large nueher of
the Center's customers came frooa the foothills to make their purchaaees
in Palo Alto, and they encounter fifteen to twenty minute delays
at peek periods in traveling the ehort distance from the Shopping
Center to Santa Crux Avenue. Last year thit Association notified
the Council ot- a petition signed by 1,100 customers argi.ng that the
roa==d be it proved. Mr, br nc ak thought that improved *tee* w*a
important to the continued suck health of tba Stanford Shopping
Center. As sore convenient and more modern centers are built in
this region, the tamp etition for customers will intensify. That
competition must be net by batter accesee and other improvements,
and the merchants were willing to e a substantial expenditure
to wanags that. The Association favors Alternate 1, Alignment D -
a diveide t; four -lane parkwey smell separated from the thoppina Canter.
Alit D would. leave intett the convenient parking areas on the
north side of the Center; and time Center .;oul.d ill afford to give
those up, particularly if aedditiors1 epees ie needed for the improvements
that suet be sends a the Canter as smother' step in keeping it competitive.
For the -Association, Mr. Sryncssak urged Council to implement Alternate
1, elieebelat D.
5 0 3.
12/15175
Vice Mayor Clay asked Mr. Hrynczak how he thought the Association
would feel about Alignment I.
Mr. Hrynczak did not think the Center would object too strenuously
to Alignment I.
Philip Cancelier, vice President of I. Magnin and Company, said he
was very pleased to see Alignment I which follows the pattern of
I. Magnin's choice, Alignment I. However, he thought he would like
to see more detail of Alignment I before he could state that I. Magnin's
was in favor of it. He asked where the access road would be.
Mr. Pawloski explained that there would be a main access road from
Willow Road to the Shopping Center. The *came roads shoes on the
plans were really schematic. Staff had had discussions with Stanford
people about access*, and it will be provided. Mx. ?awloski said
that access would not be a problem with Alignment T. He commented
that theme would be a major signalised sccsss, and another one which
would provide for right turns in and out of the Shopping Center.
Mr. Cancelier thought that Alignment I would be a satisfactory answer
to the problem.
Mazrthe 8. Hopkins, 1035 Del Norte Avenue, Menlo Park, thought the
moat devastating thing on the horizon for the Menlo Park community
was the proposed extension of the Stanford Shopping Center and tht
pushing of Willow Road through to El Camino. Becauen of existing
etc eaaive development in the Willow/Sand Hill strip, thsrs is a genuine
nsad to deal with Willow Road between Arboretum Road and Santa Gras
Avenue. Ma. Hopkins seld the preceding remarks were taken from pug*
127 of "A Partial and Unofficial History of Menlo Park", Which she
published last month. Well over half of the pages directly or indirectly
deal with the abuse of land and of people in the drainage basin of
San Francisquito Creek. MA. Rophine commented that private action
for profit later requires a public actiou at taxpayers' expense and
results in a general decrease in the overall well being of resideentaia.
She said she heard and reed references to the Willow Expressway es
bed as dead issue, but it was an ever sscslatine gores. In ifs. Hopkins'
opinion, then Stanford Shopping Canter would not even be in Palo Alto
if it had not been for a sewer books -up problem that had to co* before
the City Council in the early nineteen fifties . It was much Wro
expedient for the University to deal with county government than
with city government. Ms. Hopkins urged Council to not push Willow
lead through to El Camino. Like lots of things involving lots of
dye tiich a project would hurt all but the few.
George Griffin, 1431 Webster Street, asked that the environmental
effect, especially with regard to traffic on Embercadsro Road, be
explored before a decision vas made with re erd to the Willow Road
Project. He said be lived along Embarcadsro Road, and be feared
. that the considerable destruction of the quality of life by the traffic
would be i.ncreee d. in Mr. Griffin's opinion, the Shopping Center
was thrives; and it wee known that the Center would be enlarged.
Ptrtbeero the Staafotd Hospital vas thriving and enlerging; and SLAC
is undertaking a SOW pro j eact . Mt. Griffin could see the bridge coming
aacr'oas the Bey sad the need for a transverse road between Heysham
Freeway and its 280, $a Could also: sae all of those things affecting
his-noigbborbood. ;ir. Griffin said he and his neiehbore venial liken
to know exactly how the traffic from a Willow Roed project would
affect the center of Palo Alto. Re pointed out that Atherton was
tskiag en active role in discouraging transysras roads between Route
300 aad the Mysbore Freeway. Menlo Park bass been effectively and
coscerrtedly stem to avoid a through road and very such commercial
504
12/15/75
development. Mr. Griffin was concerned because there did not appear
to be very many traffic alternatives running north and south except
those which ran through his neighborhood.
K,ingford F. Jones, 645 alive Street, Menlo Park, said he came to
remind Council that those who served on a City Council had a broader
scope of concern than ever before. He thought the Council of Palo
Alto was entering a time when it could not react just to those people
who elected them because it had a broader obligation. Mr. Jones
submitted that the Palo Alto City Council was at a point where it
could wake decisions which weuld have a very serious impact on the
City of Menlo Park, and it was the same kind of impact that Palo
Alto's own citizens feared. It appeared to Pit. Jones that the whole
expressway vas being considered without a thorough study of where
the traffic was going and with a mere presumption that most of it
weld be roving north. This kind of an approach left Menlo Park
in an awkward position because a tremendoua amount of traffic would
be dumped into that community. The proposed action by Palo Alto
would have serious increased traffic consequences on this city and
on Menlo Park. Mr. Jones asked the Council to keep the issue open
until a complete study was made to understand the total effect on
those people who would be directly receiving the traffic brunt of
the proposed highway. He pointed out that highways would not solve
the problem; in fact, highways created the problem.
Councilman beehrs was interested in knowing whether Mx. Jones made
this excellent preesentstion to the Menlo Park Council, particularly
when the Willow Expressway was being discussed.
Mr. Jor+ta said at that time hia position was that the Willow Exp eaaway
should not be completed through Menlo Park.
Councilresn Baehr' asked Mr. Jones if ha appeared before the Menlo
ParkCouncil to egress that view.
Mr. Jones raapoodsd negatively.
Councilman beahrs thought that that was unfortunate:
Robert Mark, 725 Camper Street, speaking on behalf of the Committee
for Green Foothills, quoted the following from page 124 of the Willoc:
Road Enviroumental Impact Report. "ror Willow Road, however, the
project volumes do not cheange appreciably with the number of lasses.
in fact, the volumes chafe very little when Willow Road widens to
four lanes. This is due to the two intersections at either end of
the project area which act as capacity constraints on the traffic".
Mr. Mark noted that the Director of Public Works recommended Alignment
I. tie said that if that alignment ware chosen, the Committee would
urge Council to have staff design a two-lane road carefully aligned
with due consideration to the impact upon the trees.
Charles i tsk, 1085 University Avenue, *aid the Willow Road study
had been going on well over a year; and the comments nts made tonight
std to bear out the consensus of the Council as indicated a year
age last August that a connection to El Camino is desirable for Willow
Road. The study as to how that connection should be achieved has
psi going on for approximately (atom mouths. In Mir. Lusk's opinion,
the study that had been made by staff and the consultants bad been
thorough; end it wee time now to take action before inflation further
inures the cost of the project.
303
`.'12/13/73
Paul Heidrich, President of Bullock's of Northern California, congratulated
Council on the extremely thorough job that had been done in studying
the problem of what should be done with willow Road; and he thought
the staff was to be commented. It was time now to accept a definite
plan and start making progress. Personally, Mt. Heidrich was concerned
about the vitality of the Stanford Shopping Center. He thought the
Shopping Center was one of the strengths of Palo Alto, and it certainly
generated considerable income.. Mr. Heidrich commented that Bullock's
had recently opened a store in V'all.co Fashion Park, and when that center
opened in the spring, it would have a significant impact on the business
done at the Stanford Shopping Center. If it could he made convenient
for people in the Los Altos area to get to the Shopping Center, Mr.
Heidrich felt that the vitality of the Center could be maintained.
Otherwise, many people would find it ,much more convenient to go to
Vallco Park; and Palo Alto and tha Stanford Shopping Center would
suffer damage. The trend for the Stanford Shopping Center would
be downward, and that would not be good for Palo Alto or the economic
vitality of this area.
Robert Roaenszweig, 1462 Lana Avenue, Vice President for Public Affairs
at Stanford University, reported that the University's preference
for some time had been for Alternate D as the desired configuration
of the road. A few of hie colleagues had seen Alternate I late last
week and have done some preliminary sti;dies, and their tentative
judgment was that Alternate I would he aceeptable. Perhaps some
problems would arise since the alternate had not been worked out
in all of its specifics, but Mr. . Rosenszweig felt those problems
could be taken care of in the working design. Pointing out that
the Willow Road project had had numerous problems and delays, Mr.
F.oserarxaeig urged Council to approve the ata`f proposal so that involved
persons could move forward as expeditiously as possible to the design
of a roadway that will move traffic, through the area so it ought
to have been moving for some time pest.
Lianas Dos, Administrator of Oak Creak Apartsentc, agreed that the
various alternatives had been discussed sufficiently, and it was
time to ,cove ahead with the widening of Willow Road. Ma. Bee reported
that the management of Oak Creek Apartment' supported the project
and considered Alternate I to be tha preferred plan. The concern
at Oak Creek was the need to etteuuate be increased noise level
which will come from more traffic and to soften the visual inpect
from apartments overlooking the four -lane road. Alternative I with
a asdien strip containing tress, together with pedestrian welki aye
and bicycle paths on either side, was the most acceptable altsrnetive
as far as Ws. Dos was concerua4. The tress in the median strip would
help to ettentuatee the noise; however:, it was felt there was a distinct
necessity for the planting of additional trees contiguous to the
Oak Creek Aperteente side of Willow goad This would provide even
more of a noise buffer and would also provide, some abatement of carbon
monoxide. Also, the aedisn strip would prevent illegal left-hand
turns from occurring at the 1300 Oak Creek Drive exit, there presently
there is potential for accidence.
Mayor Norma toted that a number of commute bad been :wade about
the work that had bare done and the meetings that had been held on
Willow Road. He vented the audietaea to know that he had with him
the reports on this project which he had received over the last three
tenths, end they measured four and one-half inches in height. Mayor
Norton merely wonted to oaks clear to *various that whateesver decision
was was by Council et this meeting would not be made for lack of
int orst i.ou.
506
12/11/75
Melba Rogers, 2034 Sand Hill Road, said she had not heard anything
in the way of plans other than just an expeditious widenin8 of Willow
Road to four lanes, which would create noise and pollution above
the present levels. Ms. Rogers asked Council to consider noise barriers
and a possible pushing of the proposed road southerly from Sand Hill
Road.
Mr. Pawioski, responding to a question asked earlier by Councilman
Berwald, said he could now give the acreages remaining west of the
roadway in the undevelcped area between Arboretum Road and El Camino
Real. Udder Alternative 1, Alignment A, there would be 8.1 acres
remaining; Alignment B, 3.8 acres; Alignment C, 4.8 acres; Alignment
D, 2.8 acres; Alignment E, 6.1 acres; and Alignment F, 10.0 acres.
Mr. Pawloeki had previously said that Alignment F contained nine
acres; -but the difference WA that when these areas vere calculated,
staff took the open space continuing down to the intersection with
Arboretum whereas he had cut it off at the northerly boundary line
of the Children's Hospital.
Mayor Norton asked Mr. Pawloski if he had the difference in acreage
between Alit D and Alignment I.
Mr. Pawioski guessed that there would be about one more acre. Earlier
that land area was indicated to be about 2.8 acres; but under Alignment
I. there would be about one more acre.
MOTION: Councilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Clay, that Council
designate a$ the approved project, the four -lane Alignment I, with
an appropriate intersection sch a to meet with the criterion for
no through traffic at El Camino Real; and that this Council reaffirm
the action of the forager Council endorsing a four -Lane ninety foot
roadway at Willow Road, west from Arboretum Road to Sand Hill Road.
Councilman Berwald feet that the cultural and social mitigation measures
needed to receive Council attention also.
AMENDMENT: Councilman Eerw ld shoved that staff include the mitigating
erasures in an optimum way in the design of the. alignment.
Councilman Berws.ld said there were a number of mitigation measures
listed in Exhibit A which had to do with noise, the building of fences,
roadside barrier;, eildlife protection during coneteecti awn, access
to .the Grove area, mccses to the Oak Creek Apartments, etc. It seamed
to hint that these features all needed to b. explored in order to
give optimum mitigation to the potential problems of the roadway.
Councilmen B+erweld thought Council was moving toward approving the
alignment subject to staf f'e coercing back to Ccz il with a final
schematic design, and ha waked if that were correct.
Pawloski responded affirmatively.
This meant to Councilman Rend that there would be en opportunity
some time iathe future to look at the more detailed plane, and he
thought staff ehould take it upon themselves to sake certain tit
these steps in the staff report are takers.
Councilman &eahrs explained that he assured the thoughts expressed
by Councilman 3 ervald would be implicit in the motion he had swede.
He said be was mot intending that Couacil ahaadom ell of the studies
that have been wade on the project; and where appropriate, r amble,
end feasible, all the mitigation 3ra se to any objectionable feature
Would be accommodated.
_se7
17/14/75
Councilman Berwald withdrew his motion and proposed amendment.
MOTION RESTATED: Councilman Beahrs mowed, seconded by Clay, that
Council designate as the approved project, Alignment I, with an appropriate
intersection scheme to meet with the criterion for no through traffic
at E2. Camino Real; and that the mitigation measures indicated by
Exhibit "A" of the staff report be included; and further, that Council
reaffirm the action.of the former Council in designating a four -lane,
ninety -foot roadway at Willow Road, west from Arboretum Road to Sand
Hill Road.
Councilman Berwald commented that there had been earlier discussions
about a grade, separation between automobile movements and pedestrian
and bicycle movements, and he understood that these were not being
contemplated now in view of the high costa, On a long range basis,
Councilman Berwald thought that money would be well spent if it were
to provide for some kind of safe access from the bicycle and pedestrian
path nearest the creek over to the other side of the roadway. When
this aspect of the improvements was talked about at previous Council
meetings, Council au Berwald had felt enured that that would be
done. He quoted the following from page 11 of the stuff report:
"Pathway underpasses such as those shos~u for Alignment D at roadways
eliminate conflicts with different modes at different speedo and
allow safe, contieuoua access to open space erees". ft want his understanding
that staff said these underpasses were not in the plans, and yet
Council was giving them direction to mitigate the environmental features
that are undesirable.
Councilman Comstock's understanding of the motion was that the direction
to staff not only spoke to the alignment and the width of right-of-
way, but else to the mitigation measures *shown on Exhibit A. He
asked staff to comment ae to whether they sax the emotion as direction
to include all the mitigation measures or to conduct the kind of
review process which they had described earlier. If staff saw it
as the latter, Councilman Comstock wanted to knew if they would provide
Council with some way of reacting to measure* which they did or did
not see as appropriate to include.
Mt. Pavloski stated that some of the mitigation measures would not
receive any attention because they asddrsseed aspects which were not
appropriate to Alignment I. Wherever appropriate and feasible, staff
Would intend to include the mitigation seaauress. When staff came:
back to Council with the preliminary plans, mitigation efforts which
have been incorporated into the plan could be aazumereted. With regard
to Councilman Berwaid's comments on the underpasses, Mk. Paawlonki
said that those were not proposed as part of the plan.
Council an Comstock thought that most of the mitigation measures
would not give staff any problems. Several of the peoples in the
audience had spoken to coacesrus about the noise and fume* which the
project would create. When staff got to *those particular issues,
it would begin to consider berms or soundproof fences; and then a
decision would be :sad*. Councilman Comatock asked staff to explain
the proteeedurs that would be followed so that he and the other Councilmembers
would know what judgments had been mare.
Mr. Pawloaki suggested that when staff cams back to Council with
the preliminary plan, they could provide information on measures
which had been included. For ,instance, staff could go through the
list as provided in Exhibit A.
506
12,'b/73
Councilman Comstock explained that he waited Council to know what
staff was planning to include and exclude and to have the opportunity
of saying whether it agreed or disagreed with judgments that had
been made.
Mr. Pawloeki said he understood what Councilman Comstock was saying,
and the list of mitigation measures brought tc Council would be a
complete one. Further, Council would still have enough time at that
point to give its direction with regard Lo the measures if they were
not pleased with what had been done.
Councilman Comstock stated he would mak* an amendment which addressed
itself specifically to the alignment of the road between Arboretum
Road and El Camino Real. The motion before Council endorses Alternate
I, and Councilman Comstock considered that alignment to be excessive
for a number of reasona which he had explained at previous Council
moans. He said he did not agree with the Planning Commission
about the Arboretum/Quarry connection. There were some real circulation
problems there, and Councilman Comstock thought that ultimately,
Stanford would probably want the city to close Arboretum Road. Although
he disagreed with the Planning Commission on its first recommendation,
Councilman Comstock supported their recommended alternative which
wee Alignment A.
AMENDMENT: Councilman Comstock moved that the alignment of the road
bet men Arboretum Road and El Camino Real be that of Alignment A
rather than Alternate I.
Councilman Carey commented that Councilman Comstock thought that
Alternate I was excessive, yet his amendment simply rerouted the
ewe* four -lane road. He asked what it was that Councilman Comatock
considered to be excessive.
Councilman Comstock responded that he objected to the right-of-way
and the location of the roadway. He thought the roadway could be
much closer to the parking lot and still achieve its basic function.
On, of the arguments for a routing such is Alignment R, for instance,
was that it would be a more pleasant righteofeway to follow; and
there were other arguments such as that it weld supposedly impinge
less on the parking lot at the Shopping Center. Councilman Comstock
did i of consider those kinds of reasons important enough to justify
going into a rather invclvad conatrictism program. The objective
is to move people between El Camino Real and Arboretum Road, and
that could be done in a may that would helve some regard for the land
in its natural state. Also, that lend would serve as a buffer between
Palo Altans and their neighbors in Menlo Park.
Councilman Carey asked if Councilman Comstock envisioned the roadway
as a four -lane ore, but designed according to Alignment A.
Councilman Coeatock responded affirmatively and commented that Aligmment
A places the road such closer to the Shopping. Center.
Councilman Comsto+' k's amendment failed for lackof a ',second.
Councilmen krrald referred to hie earlier remarks which itd Lcited
concern about the nearness of the roadmey to the creek. Alignment
I placed the roadway considerably further from the creek than Alignment
D, but Councilman Rervald *till felt that there were some points
along the creak where the road essentially eliminated use of the
509
12/15/75
Palo Alto side of the creek bank for a linear park. He said he understood
Stanford's position of not wanting the roadway to encroach on the
parking lot, and another consideration was the cost of severance
for the property between the roadway and the creek. Councilman Berwald
felt the main consideration were to seve the majority of the trees
and to keep the roadway as far away from the creek as possible; but
as aueh as he did not want to see any of the specimen trees removed,
he made the observation that trees do grow, and the land would not.
Over the long range, Councilmen Aerwald preferred having more land
kept open between the creek and the roadway, One of the plans he
liked wee Alignment C with the exception that the median strip could
be narrower. When Alignment G was developed, there was no bicycle
path on the parking lot side; and Councilman Herwald understood that
Council's comaitmsnt to paths and trails along the creek demanded
that there be two pathways. He said he had no quarrel with that
since pedestrians would have twice as much lineage footage as they
would have with just one path. Even with the two paths, if the median
strip could be reduced to fourteen feet, there would still be a discrepancy
of about twenty feet which Councilman 1crvald said be could not quits
figure out, He hoped that during the next weeks that staff and Stamford
representatives would continue to look at the roadway from the standpoint
of some of the concern., that had been expressed this evening; and
wherever possible, without the sacrifice of major trees, try to move
the roadies,. - in the concept of Alignment I - as far away from the
crook bank pas possible. Also, Councilman Berweld wanted to em heeire
the concept of utilizing some design mechanism that would provide
for separation between pedestrians and automobiles. Even if staff
thought that could not be done or that it would he too costly, Councilman
8erae.ld hoped they would comae back to Council with soma alternatives
to look at; and he pointed out that it was one of the items included
in the notion.
Councilman Comstock requested that the motion he divided.
The firet part of the motion to have Ccuncil designate Alignment
1 as the approved project, with an appropriate intersection scheme
to meet with the criterion for no through traffic at El Camino Real
and stating that the mitigation measures indicated by Exhibit "A"
of the staff report be included passed on the following vote:
AFES: leaders, Emrwa i.d, Carey, Clay, Eyerly,
Norton, Wi tber spoon
NOES: Comstock
NOT PARTICIPATING: Sher
The second pert of the motion to reaffirm the action ion of the former
Council in dissipating s four -lass, ninety -foot roadway at Willow
]load, west from Arboretum Road to Sand Hill Reed pasaad on a uaaai►soue
vote. (Sher not participating.)
Councilmen Eyerly remarked that comments about severance pay for
property between the roedesy and the creek really bothered d later.
If the ail et placed the road close to the creek, there would
he hardly any land there and no severance pay. The open ground had
been there for easy years, and Stanford had never made an effort
to develop it. Considering the feeling in the city for ape
awe and tree*, Councilman Eyerly thought Stamford University might
be wilding to do seething for the community.
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12/13/73
LOTION: Councilman Eyerly moved, seconded by Comstock, that final
acceptance of Alignment I be contingent upon Stanford University's
designating the area between the roadway and San Francisquito Creek
from El Camino Real to the Children's Hospital as open space for
general citizen use and that Stanford University forego any severance
pay by the city for that area.
Councilman Beahrs asked who would be paying the University's taxes.
He did not think the city could do it, and it was asking a lot of
a landowner to dedicate lard when they could not do so under their
trust. t:ouncilman Beahrs wanted to know is Councilman Eyerly had
contemplated classifying the land there as an agricultural zone.
Councilman Eyerly presuaed that if severance pay were given for the
entire amount, the land would not be developed at all; and the tax
situation would go to something like that. There would be no tax
situation. His point was that the more ground left open, the more
it would cost the city. The city could just 1.s well decide to run
the :alignment right down through the middle of the trees and leave
such a email amount of land on either side that nothing could be
developed. Deciding on a good alignment would cost the city more
money,
Mayor Norton said he had a potion in mind, and he wondered if it
might express in another way what Councilman Eyerly was saying.
Hie thought was that Council might indicate that the City of Palo
Also had no intention of purchasing or participating in the purchase
of any land between the northerly right-of-way limit and the creek.
If this clarified or waft consistent with what Councilman Eyerly said,
Mayor Dorton stated that he would like that to show in the record.
Couw ilman Eyerly felt a motion to that effect would a sake it possible
for Stanford University to develop some of the property.
Robert R. Booth, City Attorney, coem:anted that the city would have
au opportunity at a latex date to ascertain just whet Stanford's
position would be on the remaining property; but hit afesu>sption vas
that they would either went someone to acquire it or propose to develop
it under the existing zoning. Whether the city could tie the approval
of the project to certain son —actions which leers only partially related
to the coed was somewhat open to question; however, Me. Booth noted
that Council was ',ways entitled to consider the overall cost of
the project, including the possible necessity of acquiring that piece
of property, before deciding to move forward.
Mayor Norton asked Mr. Booth if be had any objections to the action
as stated by Councilman Eyerly.
Mr. booth thought that the motion appeared to be within the lines
of the types of things which Council could consider in the entire
project.
Councilman Carey thought that the motion contemplated by Mayor Norton
was important. One thing that bothered hie about Councilman Eyterly'm
notion was that someone mentioned that Stanford University's board
of Trustees did not have the power to meis a donation of any of its
land. Even if the University bad such power, it would violate Councilmen
Carey's principles to ask sow who owned a piece of valuable land
to simply give it it sway for public use. Ss felt that if the city
wanted to was us* of the lend, then the city should pay for it;
and it should not be tangled up with the Willow Road connection,
since the issue of whether or not to acquire park she in that 'see
mss a mate one. Os the other heed, le the metes of the Willow
load procsediess, Comelier= Caney thomegbt it sibmid be merge clear
1
1
12/13/75
to Stanford University that the city did not intend to purchase the
remaining property in the grove. He said that implication left a
number of alternatives which might be worked out with Stanford as
the process is gone through.
Councilwoman Witherspoon asked if it were correct that the city had
an open space zone which required a ten acre minimum that could be
put under the Williamson Act as was done with El Camino Park.
Mr. Booth responded affirmatively and said that the Williamson Act
was also available for property zoned A -C.
Councilwoman Witherspoon asked if the Council had the right or the
authority to waive the tip -acre requirement in order to put a piece
of property under the Williamson Act.
Mr. Booth said that could not be the case because it vas tied in
with the Open Space Ordinance, but the.A-C zone had no minieum requirement,
It allows for one residential dwelling for each five acres as an
accessory co the other permitted uses, which were primarily recreational
and agricultural.
Councilwoman Witherspoon asked if that would lower the value of the
land as far as the: tax assessment was concerned.
Mx. Booth said it would tend to do that, and the Williamson Act clearly
would do so.
Vice Mayor Clay referred to the staff report of January 1975 and
recalled that various aligamente ware discussed along with the amoent
of space that might be available between the northernmost roadway
and the creek, recd the thought had been expressed that that apace
might be used for a park. Various speakers hall commented on the
desirability of that idea, yet at no time had Council addressed whet
should happen to the land north of the northernmost roadway. Vice
Mayor Clay asked if it were necessary for Council to address two
issues at this time - the alignment of the roadway and the disposition
of the land between the northernmost roadway and the creek. The
two issues are related, but no one has said just her they ors related.
Mr. Vavloski said he had always considered those two matters as *operate
ashes. His griacipal concern had been the acquisition of eeacsssery right-
of-way because that was part of the bseeess.t lfiatrict proceedings.
Mx. Pevloeki explained that the cost of the improvements has to be
demonstrated as benefiting the adjec+ant property owners in the District.
He stated that the only time the land between the roadway need the
creek had entered his ailed was in connection with severance - the
impact of the roadway acquisition to the land in the "after" condition.
Mr. Pavloski added that he had not considered that land in any other
respect bscauaa he did not think it would be appropriate for the
Assessment District and the roadway i proveeasats.
Vice Mayor Clay felt that Councilmen Sysrlye s motion tied the two
issues together. If that lased is not 4ediceted to open spacer, the
Alignment 1which Council hod just approved would be no looser acceptable.
The matter concerned Vice Mayor Clay because of the sequence in which
these things happen; and if the two aspects are tied together, Council
should address them in the same context. It appeared that everyone
wanted that land to remain as °psm *page, end the question wee hew
that could be code to happen. Perhaps Stanford University would
went to respond to the basic question being raised tonight; sad Vice
Mayor Clay wee interested La bearing that rsepsae especially sits
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12/13/75
,— - c
re,pect to the motion stating that Alignment I would not be acceptable
unless that land ware designated as open space. Mayor Norton's motion
relieved the problem somawvtat in Vice Mayor Clay's mind; but that
motion also said the city would not buy the land foropen space, and
he was in agreement with that. He reiterated that it wet important
to have a response from Stau:aford.
Councilman &sabre agreed with the comments made by Vice Mayor Clay.
Councilman Eyer1y's understanding was that /wreathing like this had
been done by Stanford University before frith an easement over a certain
period of time, and perhaps such an approach Could be woxk*d out
for this piece of property. He thought staff could bring back to
Council a report on this natter along with the initial alignment.
Mt. Rossneswisg remarked that bat was not in a positron to speak definitively
for the University as to haw it would diepoee of this er any other
piece of land, but he thought Councilman Carey had stated the issue
as clearly as possible. Even if it ware bad public policy, end Mr.
Rosensswieg was not saying that was the case, he bad no particular
problem with Mayor Morton's formulation of the situation since that
did not trouble him as a matter of principle. However, Councilman
Eyerly's formulation troubled Mr. Resensz iieg as a utter of principle
because it struck him at first glace as a somewhat cavalier way
of disposing of the value cf lewd as filmed by a private landowner
in the coimueity. The Univereity was not present in the posture
of asking a favor of the city for which a condition should be erected
in return. The University wao preset.t watt as any other property
owner would bs, with an interest in a public works project that would
benefit the owner, his tenants, and the city. Mr. E.osenaswieg thought
the matter ought to be considered on thet basis without extraneous
considerations of how other University /and might be disposed of,
and it certainly seemed inappropriate to maks that a condition for
approval of any alignment. Although Mr. Aossnszvieg could not enamor
the question directly, these cote-eente gave his feelings as clearly
as possible.
The Eyerly motion failed on the following vote:
AYES; Comstock, Eyerly
NOES: E+eahrs, Berwsld, Carey, Ctay,
Norton, Witherspoon
NOT PARTICIPATING: Sher
MOTION; Mayor Norton moved, seceded by 8aarwa1d, that future activities
and planning proceed on the aaesumption that the city hes no intention
of purcha si g or participetieg in the purchase of any lend between
the northerly tight -of -way limit and the creek.
?he notion paused an that following vote:
AIM Seahro, Serweld, Carew, Comstock,
lyerly, Norton, Witherspoon
00181- Clay
OT PARTICIPATING. Slur
513
12/15/73
MOTION: Mayor Norton moved, ,seconded by Berwald, that the design
be done in such a way as to preserve the greatest possible number
of valuable trees.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote. (Sher not participating.)
Councilman gerveld asked to what extent this entire matter had been
discussed with Menlo Park end what kinds of communications were being
carried out between the two cities.
Mr. Pawloski reported that diocuaaeions of the proposed improvements
were begun with Menlo Park about a year ago. In addition, the staff
of the City of Menlo Park received a copy of the Ea.
Councilman $srvald said there gee a desire on at least the part of.
the Mayor of Menlo Park to communicate with the Palo Alto City Council
oe thio matter. It was his belief that since a public works project
was being proposed immediately adjeceat to Menlo Perk, Palo Alto
should keep in close communication with that city in some fashion.
City Manager Gorge Sips' stated that staff intended to make a presentation
on this subject to the City of Menlo Park in late January or early
February, and that would be a public meeting involving the Menlo
Park City Council and staff.
Councils 8erwald anked if the Palo Alto City Council would be present
at that meeting.
1
1
Hz. Sipatl responded negatively. Re explained that staff would be
caking a presentation of w st was adopted at this meeting and reviewing
the Ell. Mr. Sipel said he did not thin theme was a need as yet
for a westing of the two Councils; but if that need would arise,
ha would not hesitate to arrange for it.
Councilman Earwald asked if Mr. Sipel would be speaking to the Mayor
of Menlo Park in order to determine his desires in the matter.
Mr. Sipel ftated that ha world be talking to the City Manager who,
in turn, would probably be speaking to the Mayor.
Couecilman gerva1d commented that he would be saatisf ied if either
Meeyor Norton or Mr. Sipel would determine what Menlo Park's posit'on
was. His fowling wee that the longer such communication wee postponed,
the herder it mould be to eventually resolve any differences. Councilman
Dsrwtld asked staff to be certain to respond to the question posse
by Mr. Griffin of 1431 Webster Street with respect to the effect
of the roadway on the quality of life in central Palo Alto, end particularly,
his neighborhood.
Councilman Seams asked if Councilman bsrvald's que etion intended
that Menlo Park be asked *bout their interest in participating in
the of the project, notably with respect to the noise barriers
aloes Seed Rill Road end $ante Crux Avenue.
Councilmen Smrwsid understood that Meenlo Park would be par t ie i pe t ice$
in the coot of the noise barriers.
Councilman Corey referral to the letter from Stanford University
skated December 19, 1974, (1Pahi.bit 0) which stated Stafford's willii nau
to ester into an woolliest with the city to probe for the extension
of Csapua Drive avid connection with J'uipero Sarre Boulevard. Obvious/y,
that was me important aspect to the subject; and Councilmen Carey
514
12/15/7:5
wanted to know what the progress was in preparation of a formal document
because he did not went to leave the wording in such loose form.
The triggering events which would lead to the extension and connection
should be measurable by some objective standards and not by just
one of the involved parties.
Mayor Horton thought this would be one of the matters worked out
in the ensuing weeks and months .
Mr. Sipel remarked that this wee something which staff intended to
pursue with Stanford, but any coke that Council ;ranted to make
et this point would be appropriate.
Councilman Carey quoted from the letter: "The extension would not
be required until five years after completion of the improvements
and when either (a) traffic on the improvement road has reached as
level that indicates future congestion or (b) Stanford has completed
development of sufficient improvements in the areas adjacent, etc.,
to contribute significantly". Shut bothered Councilman Carey was
who would decide when "sufficient improvements" have been made or
when "future congestion" has reached a certain level. Perhaps staff
cold approach it by referring to the nai and when the traffic count
ruched a certain level, that would be the triggering event. The
latter seemed to indicate that there wc•uld be a unilateral decisions
on the part of Stanford, ar.d Councilwea Carey felt the city should
be protected eore than that.
Mr. Sipel considered those cements to be helpful.- They were the
kinds of things talked about last year when the letter was received;
end if the project is approved at this meeting, it vo+Jd be time
for the development of some msanureaent criteria which !,could be brought
to Council for approval when it next saw the project plane.
Mayor Norton shared Councilman Carey`s concerns. If the mini
period were five years and an arbitrary decision would be madet that
decision should be made by Palo Alto rather than by anyone else.
This would be stellar to the agreement whereby if Palo Alto improved
Willow Road within tars years, then certain things would automatically
happen. Mayor Norton did not think it would be unreaeaoaable if.the
discretion rsaidsd with City Coil rather then with Stanford University.
MOTION: Councilman Seahrs introduced the following resolution and
moved, seconded by Clay, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. S17S entitled "A RESOLUTION
REQUESTING cassm OF T15 CITY AIL OP THE
CITY OF MELO PARK TO TRI EXERCISE OF EXTRA-
TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION TO UNDERTAKE PROCEEDINGS
roa THE ACQUISITION AND CONSTRU TIO0 OF PUI LIC
nesovalsors AND TO PROVIDE THAI: TRE COSTS SMALL
BR ASSESSED UPON THE DISTRICT aciarrrao THEREBY
UNDER APPROPRIATE SPECIAL ASSESSWERT AND
ASSESSMENT BOND ACTS"
wrudow ROAD PROJECT NO. 74-65
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
The resolution was adopted on a unaaoioua vote. (Sher not participating)
515
12/15/75
MOTION: Councilman Beahrs introduced the following resolution and
moved, seconded by Clay, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 5179 entitled "A RESOLUTION
REQUESTING CONSENT OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA CL RA TO THE EXERC I S E
OF EXTRA -TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION TO UNDERTAKE
PROCEEDINGS FOR THE ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION
OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE
COSTS SHALL BE ASSESSED UPON THE DISTRICT
BENEFITED THEREBY UNDER APPROPRIATE SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT AND ASSESSMENT BOND ACTS"
WILLOW ROAD PROJECT NO. 74-65
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous vote. (Sher not participating)
MOTION: Councilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Witherspoon, that staff
be authorized to prepare preliminary plans, a preliminary cost estimate
and tentative awes. ent spread for the project for the approved
alignment.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote. (Sher not participating.)
RE ST TO BRING ITEM 7
MOTION: Vice Mayor Clay movsd, eaconded by Beaters, that Item 7 on
the agenda having to do with a+ contract with the Senior Coordinating
Council be moved forward for consideration at this tine.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
(Councilman Sher left at the beginning of the Willow Road discussion
amid did not return.)
:0' r4; - .1. y: :: OR
(z k:601:5)
MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, eecoaded by Eyerly, that Council
approve the contract and aothoriss the Mayor to ezaeuts than egrsenent
on behalf of the City of Palo Alto.
Councilman Bars asked if tba motion would accommodate the roqueet
of La Comida de California, Inc. as stated is its letter of Dscsmbor 11, 1975.
Councilman Comstock responded negatively.
Disoa Steeples, Senior Adult Services Coordinator* commented that
the agreement was flexible ugh so that if ties ward vented to
fill the request as weds by La Co ida, it wild be able to so do.
Councilman Witherspoon quoted the following from pass three of
tbs agro tt: "Upon tics effectivaa data of termination, Corporation
shall imnedistoly discontinue its psrforeencs under this agreement".
Sbo asses that ant its performance for tbs city only; in other
words* they would not have to go out of busiamsi.
516 er�f
12/15/ '
Carleen Bedwe311, Director of Community and Socigl Services, said
Councilwoman Witherspoon's interpretation was correct.
Corrected
See pg. 379
Councilwoman Witherspoon noted that page five of the agreement stated
that the Board of Directors would consist of not leis ten twenty
members, and she wanted to know if there were some flexibility in
case of reservations, etc. She thought that the usual situation
was fora minimum to be set rather than a maximum.
Ms. Beewell said those were the seats on the Board, and it was assumed
that at times tare would be vacancies and that those vacancies would
be filled as rapidly ea possible.
Vice Mayor Clap had some concern over the statement under Conflict
of Interest on page five of the agreement. He pointed out that it
was customary in the private sector to have at least the Chief Executive
Officer of an organisation as a member of the Board, and he thought
the Senior Coordinating Council ought to have that flexibility.
Vice Mayor Clay stated he was not worried about conflict of interest.
AST: `lire Mayor Clay moved, seconded by Beahrs, that Item
Fifteen be deleted from the Agreement.
Councilman u sttock thought the requirement wee a reasonable one
and he was not aware that it would caueee any hardship foe the contracting
parties. As a matter of community interest, Councilman Comstock
thought Council should include the requirement in the Agreement,
Ms. Bedveell reearked that in the past when dealing with citizen corporations,
staff had foiled that it had gotten into disputee as to whether or
not a corporatio» should be permitted to employ people who are Also
on the Ecerd of Directors. It has been at the direction of Council
that this requirement has been included in the -other contracts with
citizen corporations; coatseequeantiy, the language in Item Fifteen
was somewhat standard.
Vice Mayor Clay vas aware of the history of the requitement, and
he said he had always objected to it.
City Attorneys Booth did not believe that a formal conflict of interreat
would arise either wey Council chose to go. This section, a* MA.
Bidwell had noted, has really beeeeee a preference of Council, perticu arty
with the Bossing C orportetioa; and it bas been carried through with
other citizen corporations ever since.
Mayor Morton asked if Pis. Booth saw eny legal objection to removing
that requirement.
Mr. Booth responded naeetively so loog es there rtes some review of
the a aalaty of that employee when it came up. Pote r tialiy, it might
cause a problem if the board mare settine s salary with public fund*
and that member voted on it.
Councilman l e ehrs did *et thine Vice Mayor Clay's motto, intended
to apply to ae salaried employee, but as written the agreement suggested
that a volunteer night be barred from participating on the Ord
Vice Mater Clays explained that his motive want across-the-board*
and he felt *a item of this type carried more smoke ti au firs, He
recalled that wham the item was Mat *ado part of ant egromeot with
public funds, it wee inch to the cootrects with the Mousing Corps sties
seed the Drag Abut* Program. Vice Mayor Clay could sees diction; befits
to Wring a amber of the staff as a member of the easier Coordinating
$17
12/15/75
Council's Board of Directors. He added that certainly the Executive
Director is a contributing member to the total organization. That
person is expected to be at the Board of Directors meeting, and he
or she would have as much information as anyone else there. Vice
Mayor Clay felt an Executive Director would be competent enough to
cast a vote in the same intelligent manner as a Board member.. He
concluded by saying that he did not see the merit of the requirement
es some others had over the years.
The amendment failed en the following vote:
AYES: Beahrs, Carey, Clay, Norton
NOES: Berwald, Comstock, Eysrly, Witherspoon
Councilman Berweld remarked that the staff report dated December
10, 1975 ataated that Council end-arsaee tba general concept of an e.sentially
privately established, operated, and funZ ed foundation. He asked
Vice Mayor Clay as Chairman of the Policy end Procedures Committee
if that Committee, when reviewing the social programa, planned on
reviewing the possible duplication of f+ nctiona of members of the
city staff and members of the Senior Coordinating Council to find
out whether or not there might be sevings which could be made in
this area.
Vice Mayor Clay stated that the Conn ttee would be doing that,
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
MOTION: Councilman Beakers moved, duly acconded, that Item 6 on the
agenda dealing with tLe Veterans' Building be moved forward for consideration
at this time.
The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Beals, Berwald, Carey, Clay, Eyerly,
Norton, Witherspoon
SCES: Comstock
:5)
John D. Snow, 105 Lowell Avenue, stated thet the Veterans' Council
had asked for just threes things - a roof, a lease, and s flagpole.
The veterans were asking for equality and justice, but they still
fated discrimination. A committee has been appointed for the Veterans'
l ilding, and there was no spas on that committee who would be protecting
the veterans' interests. Mr. Snow felt the veterans had been defraanchiesd,
and be was vary disappointed.
Councilmen Bsabre fait Mr. Snow was justified in speaking of his
disappointment. The veterans had never asked for an extravagant
reconstruction ctior of their building, but they sskm4 only that it be
mode secure and .eatherpr�rof. . Councilman ultra understood that
staff was concerned about cods violations; but unless tbae city was
prepared to spend mote than $500,000 for s facility for the veterans,
Council was going too far is its present approach. Be also expressed
concern about the list of persons who aaaedc up the Committee for the
Veterans Building, and he said it did net include of = hie nominees.
518
12/15/75
Councilman Beehrs thought it was unfortunate that the veterans were
not represented on a committee whose chief concern wee the facility
used by the veterans. He aeksd if they roof of the building had been
covered with polyethylene that would keep Cis water out once the
rains started.
Mr. Sip+el said the roof had been covered; but so far, there had not
been very such rain.
Coeacilasn Benhrs iudicatsd camera about wind,
!!r. Sipel said the covering was ticked down, and the hope was that
it would hold. If Council adepts the recommendations fro* staff,
the plastic cover would be kept intact throughout the rainy season
until the committee cave back with *one resolution of the problem.
Councilman Iteahrs commteted that if the building is protected against
l.sakaee through the vin.ter, Council has, to some degree, amt the
concerns of the V2tVT4=49 however, he considered the recommendations
to be a bit more than nsceeeary; and he thought it was most unfortunate
that the veterans were not represented on the committee.
Axel Johnson, 1120 ruitcn, thanked Council for appuiziting him to
the committee, and he was disappointed that Mr. Snow did not feel
that he would be representing the veterans. Mr. Johnson st6tsd that
tug was Cvaamandsr of the Veterans of World War 1 for the second tera,
and there were about one hundred and sixty members of that group
plus the auxiliary. Mr. Joh ou recalled some of the work which
be and other veterans did oe the building five years ago, and he
said he was locking forward to working with the recently foraged coseetteen
Mr. Snow explained that he re pescted Mr. Johnson very much, and what
ha meant by hies disappointment in the committee was that no one who
was as elected member of the Council wee on it.
Mayor Norton said that =lees Council objected, he would feel free
to appoint one more person Co the committee.
MOTION: Mayor Norton moved, seconded by Beerwald, that the entire
setter of the Veterans' Building repairs, eafeety, and future be turned
over to the Ciatizeesie' Advisory Committee, the Committee to advises
teen Finance end Public Weeks Commdttee by lrebrrary 1 of alternative
wage of preserving and/or restoring the building, end that Council
permit tbs Goexalee Construction Coaspany to withdraw its bid as being
is valid; and staff be directed to maintain tbu existing temporary
plastic sheeting on the roof of the Veterans' Building for the remaaiedsr
of the current rainy season.
Ths motion pasted c+a a unanimous vote.
Councilman iyaerly recalled that $9,500 had been allocated for the
roof t and be asked leas much of that bad been spent.
Michael dolly of the Budget and Staff Services Department reported
that about five hundred dollars bad been shat on the plastic covering
for the roof, need about five thousaaed dollars wile *peat for the bid
specificastioxae drawn up by a pia nmar and an architect. Approximately
two thousand dollars was left for structural iaaapectioa should the
bid be let.
Joseph Ants* Bogineeriemg Departatato said tier total co.ltaat foss
imovId be approalmoatsly 94.000.
5 1 9
12/15/75
Councilman Eyerly questioned the need for a consultant fee of $4,000
for $27,000 worth of work.
Mr. Anton stated there was more than $27,000 worth of work involved,
and there was a tremendous amount of detailed work that had to be
done.
Councilman Eyerly asked how much cost staff could agree to without
coming to Council for approval.
Mr. Anton responded that staff could approve up to $5,000.
Vice Mayor Clay asked if Council were ready to vote on the Consent
Wender - Action Items.
The following itemn were loft for voting on the Consent Calendar:
Ni
3:5)
Nemmummmememmeammumm
RESOLUTION NO. 5160 entitled "RESOLUTION
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
DISSOLVING THE BARRON PARK FIRE DISTRICT
UPON ANNEXATION OF ALL TERRITORY TO THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO"
DES IGNAT I
OF A FIR: ZONE
IIMEGINIZERNMOneallallat
ORDINANCE
PALO ALTO
(OFFIC IAL
MUNICIPAL
3 FOR THE
PALO ALA`!
Pier
OF THE COUNCIL OF TIT CITY OT
AMENDING SECTION 16.04.160
FIRE ZONE MAP) OF THE PALO ALTO
CODE TO ESTABLISH FIRE its 'd0.
TERRITORY ANNEXED TO THE CITY 07
AND COMMONLY KNOWN AS "EAAWN
MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Esahre, that the
resolution be adopted and the ordinance spprave4 for first reading.
Tbn motion passed on a unanimous vote.
S]�'f CBLE t. (C 1:600:5)
Vice Mayor Clay asked if Council were ready to mote on tba Consent
Calendar -Referral Items.
The fulloWita , it.m ones left for voting on the Consent Calendar:
(0411600:5)
Staff recommended that Council refer this matter to the Fi taafce and
Public Narks Committee.
NOTION; Councilman Barmaid moved* seconded by Eaahrs, that the staff
recommendetiom be approved.
The motion pans.4 on a uoanimoua toter.
520
12/15/75
ON LAN FOR FIRE
:609:5)
Frank Fiala, speaking for the Palo Alto Fire Fighters, thanked the
members of city staff, namely, Jay Rounds, Ed hvarett, Charles Challenger,
and Frances Kau man, for tha manner in which the negotiations were
conducted,
Mayor Norton remarked that there ware always same trying aspects
to negotiations, and it was good to hear Mr. Pisla's comments.
MOTION: Councilman Bervald introduced the followine resolution and
ordinance and moved, seconded by Clay, their adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 5151 entitled "RESOLUTION or
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO ADOPTING
A COMPENSATION PLAN FOR rag DEPARTMENT
PERSONNEL (EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 21, 1975) POR
THE BALANCE OF FISCAL YEAR 1975-1976 AND A
PORTION OF FISCAL YEAR 1976-1977; MING
DECEMBER 18, 1976"
ORDINANCE NO. 2896 entitled "ORDINANCE OF
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING
THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1975-1976 TO
PROVIDE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPENSATION
PLAN FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL"
Ah a resolution and the ordinance were adopted on a unanimous vote,
MOTION:- Mayor Norton moved, seconded by Beahra, that Council support
the resolution with regard to the County/City sales tax as prapart
by the Iattr-City Council,
The motif was approved on a unanimous vote.
(Councilman B*abro left the meeting at 11:35 p.m.)
♦ t1 #l1 -I4 40 ill; It la..,i »JoZkviik
Gerry McQueen, 275 Ventura Avenue, thanked Councilman Sermal4 for
putter this subject on the agenda. Spooking to tins meet its of
4 business permit to Copenhagen Theatre, she stated that then people
it the city of Pepper/West Meadow did not like the idea of Paitsi
tames to an employee who wads such a stupid mistake.
Stave Mylroi•e, 415 remand* Avenue, compleined that the thaat&s's request
Ma lightly granted; and it ma arsil over a month before any of the
errors were discovered.
5'2 1
12/15/75
Councilman Berwald explained that he put this item on the agenda
as a response to members of the public who had expressed concern
about massage parlors, etc. He wanted the citizens of the community
to know that Council and staff were concerned about the problem.
Councilman Berwald realized that a Councilmember or a Ftaff person
could make a mistake, and that was just human; but generally, he
thought the public should be quite pleased with + hat the staff was
doing in this area. Staff was moving as quickly a€a the law wuuld
allow, and it was helpful to the to know of the concerns of the
citizens. Councilman Berwald noted that the City Manager had made
a very complete report en the subject in his memorandum dated December 11,-
1975. Since this matter would be of continuing concern to the public,
Councilman Berwald thought it might be useful if the City Manager
would rreageudize the item sometime during January, 1976. Some time
ago, the City Attorney gave Council a report on what a Charter city -
could and could not do in this kited of a matter; and Councilman Berwald
thought that if Mr. Booth, Mrr. Sipel and Chief Zurrther could get
together to produce a report, then both Council and the public would
know what laws were operative in this particular area and what could
and could not be done within the statutes of the state. Councilman
Berwald was coucer°ued about those massage parlors which were doing
business in a manner that a reatea a public nuisance, offends the
public interests and sensibiiitiea, etc., but he was also concerned
with establishments dealing in pornographi: books and films, etc.
Therefore, he asked that the report include these kinds of establishments
as well as massage parlors.
Councilman Comstock wanted to state to the members of the public
that all of the evident activity about this subject on the part of
Council and staff did not wean that it would be easy to get from
the present situation to one that would be acceptable to members
of neighborhoods which adjoined these various establishments. A
long, concerted effort would havo to be put forth by the Council
and staff to go through the necessary procedures to determine which
individuals were not complying with city requirements. Those persona
would be taking actions to defend their right to operate massage
parlors or to operate as individuals within the massage parlors.
Councilman Comstock pointed out that the matter would require a great
deal of ongoing vigilance and care so that those persons who are
performing a legitimate eerc-vice are not abused or harassed unduly;
and those who are not, are made aware of their violations so that
they will change their way of doing business or be suspended from
doing busi.aeee. All of that is not au easy situation because it
required going to court, holding hearings, etc. Councilman Comstock
shared the sense of impatience of those persos.s who lived near thee*
various establishments, but he did not want those people to think
chat actions taken would lead to an immediate change. He asked members
of the community to realize that Council end staff were trying to
alleviate the conditions in a way that would have a lasting effect.
Councilman Comstock concluded by saying that those working on the
problem were trying to strike a balance between precipitate action
on the one hand and too !mach deliberation and care on the other.
Mt. Sipel said he accepted the criticism that was leveled egainet
the staff for issuing a license when it should not have been iseued.
The important thing now was that steps had been taken to ensure that
that would not happen again with respect to one of the theaters or
any other business in Palo Alto. M4r. Sipe]. reported that there have
been so a activities going on since the staff report had been written
on December 11. Staff had not been able to mgt with representative
of the Copenhagen Theater laeet week, but that would be taking place
December 16. Within the next few days, the tan day. period would
3,22
12/13/7'5 �%
expire by which time the Copenhagen Theater would have to remove
its signs. If the signs do not come clown, the city will than have
to take same stein to abate the problem itself or through utilisetioa
of the courts. That may take a number of days, and Mr. Sigel was
waking his statement for the benefit of the audience and the newspapers
who oey think that at the end of ten days the signs would definitely
be down. Staff veu1d be pursuing administrative hearings on whether
a number of licenses o+ght to be revoked, and those hearings will
be taking place sometime in January. It ways Ms. Sipel's feeling
that staff was doing everything possible within the law to take care
of the situations that are so offensive to the people in that particular
area; but when actions are taken within the law, progress is rather
slow.
Mat. McQueen complained because a member of the staff had promised
to cell her back to keep her informed about a certain matter, and
that person never did make the cell. She felt that as a person working
with a group in the community that was concerned about a number of
things, she should be away* of what was going on and should receive
some reports.
ton Loudest, 267 Curtner Avenue, said he understood applications made
by those who wished to be masa:ago technicians were more or less confidential;
and he was speaking to the fact that a newspeper published the fact
that because of an incident several years ago one of his employees
may have her Heatsc revoked. Mt, Louden dial not think that king
of information should have been published without his employee first
receiving a letter or beieg heard. Furthermore, his employee's name
Amid never have been given to the press.
Mayor Norton pointed out that names are not obtained by the press
from the city staff or from Council but rather from police reports
which are routtus on any arrests.
let. 51pm:l commented that he wee not sure how the name was obtained,
but he would look into it.
) TION% Councilman Clay moved, sscooded by Norton, that the Council
meeting of December 22, 1975 be ca elleed.
Thte notion peeved ors a unanimous vote.
Mayor gortow noted that Dece ebsr 29 was the fifth Monde,. of the month,
and there would be no Council meeting,. The neat meeting was scheduled
for January 5, 1976, which would be a Special Meeting pies an Executive
Session.
The meeting of December 15, 1975 adjourned at 11:52 p.n.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
523
12/13/73