HomeMy WebLinkAbout02041974CITY
COUNCIL
MINUTES
February 4, 1974
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:30 p.m.
in a regular meeting with Mayor Comstock presiding.
Present:
baahrs, Clay, Comstock, Henderson, Pearson,
Rosenbaum, Sher (arrived 7:39 p.m.), Norton
(arrived 7:40 p.m.)
Absent: Berwald
Cub Scouts and Bo Scouts in Attendance
41,11.415.41.1
Mayor Comstock recognized Cub Scouts and Soy Scouts and their leaders in
attendance and asked that George Wilson say a few words as their repre-
sentative. Mr. Wilson indicated that February is the "Anniversary Month"
of the Boy Scouts of America and .ished to express appreciation that the
Council was recognizing Clis fact with a resolution later in the evening.
He said that the appreciation felt was best shown to the Council by the
attendance cf such a large group of Scouts at the Council meeting. He
continued that there is a large concentration of Scouts in this area, and
as District Chairman he wished to express his appreciation to Scoutmasters;
Cubzaaters; four hundred volunteer adults; Mr. Merritt, the Scouting
Executive; and Mr. Horton in the Scouting office. Mayor Comstock expressed
the pleasure of the Council in having the Scouts in attendance and said he
hoped their visit would be interesting and productive.
Award from Multiple Sclerosis Society
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Mayor Comstock recognized Dick_ Farr who was present in order to present
an award to the City, of Palo Alto on behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis
Society of Santa Clara County. Mr. Farr stated that the Multiple Sclerosis
Society asked him to pre ant & Certificate of Appreciation to the City of
Palo Alto for aiding handicapped people in general, and for the city's
efforts in removing architectural barriers and even larger obstacles mani-
fested in the minds of healthy indialduals, such as apathy. Palo Alto's
efforts clearly indicate that apathy is being diminie here,
Mayor Comstock accepted the Certificate for the city and commented that
Mr. Farr is a member of the city's study group concerning architectural
barriers for handicapped people.
Mf.nutes of January 21 19, Z
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Councilman Henderson referred to page 78, bottom line, and asked that
the word "it" be inserted after the word "and."
Councilman Henderson referred to page 85, second paragraph, lie seven,
and Asked that the name "Jerry" be deleted and that the name "Gerry" or
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"Geraldine" be inserted. He then requested that in the same paragraph,
line eleven, the word "because" at the end of the line be deleted and
the word "for" be inserted.
Councilman Seer referred to page 82, fifth paragraph, nine fourteen, and
requested that after the phrase "on new construction" the words "in the
R -3 -REHAB Zone only" be added. On the same page, fifth line from the
bottom, C..nnctii an Sher requested that after the words "Fire 'Lone 1
bo=wndaries" a comma be inserted for the period, and the following words
inserted, "involving new housing construction which were approved without
any requirement of low -moderate income housing."
Councilman Norton referred to page 63, bottom paragraph, second line, and
requested that the word "form" be deleted and the word "forum" inserted.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Henderson, that the minutes of
January 21, 1974, be approved as revised.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Retirement of Peter Nielsen Richard deLosa James
Sel.vid e and JcsepY-i S araco (CMR:122:4; 123:4; 125:4; 126:4)
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LOTION: Mayor Cco..stock introduced the following resolution and moved,
seconded by Sher, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 4866 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO PETER NIELSEN UPON
HIS RETIREMENT"
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous vote.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock introduced the following resolution and moved,
seconded by Sher, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 4867 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO RICHARD
deLOSA UPON HIS RETIREMENT"
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous vote.
MOTION: Councilman Henderson introduced the following resolution and
proved, seconded by ComstocPo its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 4868 EN'TIT'LED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO
JAMES SELVIDGE UPON HIS iIETIR tNT"
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous vote.
MOTION; Councilman Norton introduced the following resolution and mowed,
seconded by Comstock, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 4869 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO JOSEPH
SPARACO UPON HIS R TILT„
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous vote.
1.2 2
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Fire Chief Korff stated that.three_of the retiring firemen were present
at the meeting. Richard deLoaa could not attend this evening. He noted
that all four of the men were young to be retiring and were ao doing
because of on-the-job injuries. Chief Korff said that_.J'eter Nielsen is
typical of. the young firemen. that Palo Alto has that permits the Fire
Department to 40 a lot of things that fire departments. with older employees
cannot do. He. then commented. that Captain James Selvidge had been with
the department for twenty-three years and was known around the station as
the "Missouri Mule." Chief Korff then recognized Joseph Sparaco who was
present with his family and told Council that Mr. Sparaco.was retiring to
become a businessman in Palo Alto. The Chief wished all these men well
as they went out to meet new challenges.
Human Relations Commission .Recommendation Re
esaew o on sac t w t : :
Mayor Comstock asked Alec Andrus, HRC staff liaison, if he would like to
comment on the Human Relations Commission's recommendation.
Mr. Andrus stated that he would like to underline that the report came as
a result of a fairly extensive examination by the Hnr :n Relaticru Commis-
sion, and a committee appointed by the Commission which was headed by
Dr. John Unger, who was then a member of the Commission. In examining
the programs which MCFH had carried cut as a result of the contract with
the city, their budget'., their efforts in securing funding, Mr. Andrus
said that the result was a recommendation for renewal.
City Attorney Booth informed Council that the new conflict of interest
law would preclude any councilman from voting on this issue if he owned
an interest in the corporation in the amount of one thousand dollars or
more, if he received income of two hundred fifty dollars or more in the
past year prior to this meeting, or if he is a director, officer, trus-
tee, employee, or if he is holding a position of management in that cor-
poration. Mr. Booth requested that the members of the Council disclose
whether or not they ware members in MCFH, oeing then free to vote unless
they were involved in one of the prohibitive interests that he had just
outlined.
Mayor Comstock requested .that it be shown in the record that he is a dues -
paying member of MCFH but does not fall in any of the categoriee_-described
by Mrs Booth. Councilmen Rosenbaum stated that he is a member of MCFH
also; Councilman Sher stated that he is a member; Councilman Norton indi-
cated that he has been a member but is unsure of hia present membership
status; Councilman Beahra stated that he is unsure whether he is
presently a member but that it is possible. Mr. Booth confirmed there
es no councilmen who has an affiliation with the corporation which would
constitute a conflict of interest.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, that Council
uphold the recommendation of the Human Relations Commission that the
contract be approved with an increase in the compensation to twenty-five
dollars per month, and the Mayor be designated to so sign it.
Councilman Beahrs said that although he is sure that the Council supports
the work under discussion, he is not at all happy with the generality with
which this entire matter has been presented to the Council. He said it
is suggested here that there will be decreases in contributions from
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private individuals because of the downturn of the economy. This is not
a good explanation to him, because everyone suffers from that, including
the city of Palo Alto. Mr. Beahrs stated that he believes the Council
should have been given more specifics on what activities are undertaken
by MCFH, what degree of success has been experienced, and other statistics
in support of the. program. Mr. Beahrs indicated that_if such statistics
were best not discussed in a public meeting, then he,,,would recommend they
be considered for review in Executive Session, considering the renewal of
this contract included an increase in the stipend. He puggested that
another alternative wouid.be to refer the renewal of the contract to the
Finance and Public Works Committee with a request for more specific infor-
mation.
Mayor Comstock said that the contract the Council has received is the
basic amendment to the original contract, and the amendment changes the
dollar amount. He further stated that the original contract is attached
to the staff report which describes in some detail aver a number of pages
the services that will be provided through this contract, what the obliga-
tions of the city are, and the usual business terms of the contract. Mayor
Comstock indicated that Exhibits A and B at the end of the report describe
some of the earlier references that were made in the contract, so that the
nature of the work was described fairly extensively. He then requested
that staff count and describe the manner in which they followed through
on this report.
Mr. Andrus reported that the Council received in the packet a month and
a half ago the minutes of the November, 1973, Human Relations Commission
meeting. At that time members of the MCFH presented their.annual report
in which they specifically detailed each of the areas in the contract and
the services that they had provided. He said that during that meeting,
a great deal of time and interesting, happy discussion was given to the
way in which those services had been provided in response to the contract.
He said the Commission felt that each of the services named had been pro-
vided. Mr. Andrus said that MCFH's representative, Janet Owens, indi-
cated there were several reasons why they requested an increase in funds.
One of these reasons was that those persons desiring to discriminate had
become more .subtle and clever in their methods as they became acquainted
with the processes of checking, and in order to respond adequately, the
Commission had to become more adept and professional, resulting in pro-
cedures that will cost more money, and also resulting in the fact that
they may not be able to use volunteer help to handle illegal subtleties.
Kr. Andrus said that this was probably the major support for their request
for wore' funds. The second reason is inflation.
Mayor Comstock noted that the Commission had originally requested $250,
and the HRC recommendation is for $225.
Mr. Andrus said this was . true and came as a result of the HRC Committee's
deliberations. The purpose of the committee's being created was to look
in depth at the budget for the last several years (not specifically at the
programs which had been provided, because the Commission had spent a great
deal of time looking at that at the November meeting and also had received
every month reports from MCFH), and also to decide whether or not the
Commission should make the full increase. He pointed out that the memo
from Dr. Unger states that the increase was justified but that the Com-
mittee wanted to relay to MCFH that they should diversify their funding
and get support from all the organizations that they possibly could.
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2/4/74
Councilman Beahrs stated that these comments are not satisfying to him,
because they are subjective in their content and what he felt was needed
was quantitative statistics. He said that since you cannot win by throw-
ing money at problems, it was necessary to know something of the magnitude
of the problem. He felt ao one knew what was happening, and he was criti-
cal of this, approach. Councilman Beahrs said he would like to know how
many contacts are being handled by MCFH and with what results. He stated
that theae facts could be.heard in confidence if necessary, but personally
he would like them to be aired publicly. He would like to have fewer
generalities and more specifics.
The motion to approve the contract passed on the following vote:
AYES: Clay, Comstock, Henderson, Pearson, Rosenblum, Sher
NOES: Beahrs
(Councilman Norton was out of Chambers during this vote.)
Recommendation from Human Relations Commission
Re AB IZ
Mayor Comstock stated that Council had received from the Commission a
letter referring to their actions and requesting support and also an
attached report comparing the proposed bill with existing California
law.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, seconded by Comstock, that the Coun it
uphold the recommendation of the Human Relatione Commission that the City
of Palo Alto support AB 1202, the Residential Lacdl.ord/'Tenant Act.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Cubbpriev Hi School "Wings to Oaxaca" Project
Councilman Clay stated that it was his pleasure to have heard the Cubberley
Band and that it had been worth coming to the meeting one-half hour early,
for that purpose.
MOTION: Councilman C.iay.introduced the following resolution and moved,
seconded by Comstock, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 4870 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCII, OF THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO EKING BEST WISHES FOR SUCCESS TO THE
CUBBERLEY HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC STUDENTS IN THEIR "WINGS TO OAF.ACA"
PROJECT AND URGING PARTICIPATION AND ASSISTANCE IN THEIR FUND--
R,USING EFFORTS.
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous vote.
1
Bu_Scouts of America "Anniversary Month"
Councils Clay stated that he was a member of the Executive Council of
the Stanford Area Council, Boy Scouts.of America, and could attest to
the good work being done by this group. He stated that the penetration
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of Scouting in an area where the. population in Scouting age is going down
has been excellent and that this. organization deserves the highest recom-
mendation that can be given them.
MOTION: Councilman Clay introduced the following resolution and moved,
seconded by Beehrs, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 4871 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALO ALTO RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTION OF °Till? BOY SCUTS OF
AMERICA PROGRAM TO OUR YOUTH AND URGING 0BSER.ANCE, OF THE MONTH
OF FEBRUARY AS THE "ANNIVERSARY MONTH" OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA"
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous vote.
Amendment to PACDAB Contract (CMR:151:4)
Mayor Comstock stated that the City Council has received a report from
the City Manager's office with regard to an amendment to the PACDAB Con-
tract No. 3454 and a letter attached to it from the PACDAB Board. This
second amendment to the contract would accomplish the proposed changes
which are basically to reduce the size of the board from twenty-one to
fifteen members and to maintain the same ratio of residents and non-
residents on the bQard as existed in the larger membership.
MOTION: Councilman Henderson moved, seconded by Rosenbaum, that the
Council approve the second amendment to the City's Agreement with the
Palo Alto Drug Abuse Board, Contract ?o. 3454.
14 Sr. Harvey Nixon, 430 Kipling Street, wanted to know why the reports
from PACDAB are not posted in the back of the Council Chamber. He wanted
to take this opportunity also to say that the PACDAB reports are the
poorest ones he had ever seen, and also he complained that there was no
financial report of how they spend their money.
?mayor Comstock informed Mr. Nixon that the only items put up in the back
are those items directly related to the current agenda, and the reports
Mr. Nixon was referring to were distributed earlier.
The amendment to the contract was approved en a unanimous vote.
s for Handles ed Persons et
Cit1 Piaci ii ie
Mayor Comstock stated that Council had received the January 31 staff
report on Rams for Handicapped Persons at City Facilities --Report on
Bids, and also an ordinance amending the budget for the fiscal year to
appropriate additional monies.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson moved„ seconded by Comstock, that the. Council
find, by motion action, that this project has no significant environ-
mental impact.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
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MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson introduced the following ordinance and moved,
seconded by Beahrs, its adoption:
ORDINANCE NO. 2769 ENTITLED "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY .OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 197.,-74
TO f PPROFRIATE $24,000 TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAMPS
FOR HANDICAP?ED PERSONS AT CITY FACILITIES"
Councilman Sher stated that he supports this motion strong.ly,. He said.
he was present at the special awareness day that was held in November
dealing with the elimination of architectural barriers to the physically
handicapped and was struck by the problems of the physically disabled in
being able to go where others go. Councilman Sher felt it was important
to open up our municipal facilities to everyone and that by so doing the
city will set an example for private property owners as well.
Councilman Henderson stated that although this is a most worthwhile pro-
ject, he found it necessary to question it when he sees that the cost
of construction is $19,600, and the overhead is $4,342. He said his
specific question was why should it be necessary to use over twenty per
cent of the money for inspection, testing, etc.
Mr. Bernard Pawioski. D1>ector of Public Wort:s, responded that. it is
typical on a small project for the overhead be comparatively dispro-
portionate to the total project cost.
Councilman Henderson said that he did not wish to belabor the point but
merely wished to state his concern that in a project_under local control,
he still sees this kind of percentage for cverhead.
yr. Paul.oski said that speaking in percentages the overhead.was.high, but
actually dollarwise, it isn't. He said that the $19,658 is for the.con-
struction of the facilities and doesn't include any of the other costs.
The ordinance amending the budget was adopted on a unanimous vote.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, that.the Mayor
be .authorized to execute a contract with the George Bianchi Construction
Company for the amount of $19,658.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote,
Children's Theatre Improvement Project (C*+LR:128:4)
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MOTION: Councilman Norton moved approval, seconded by Comstock, of the
agreement with Spencer, Lee, Busse and Stypula to provide architectural
services for the Children's Theatre Improvement Project.
Councilman Henderson stated that the project has beeu funded et $37,000,
and he'noted that a number of changes will be required. He said that
the total architectural fee' has been brought up to $6,300 and that this
seems to indicate that the overall cost of the project will go up sub-
stantially. This is another case of budgetary approval being given at a
certain level, and then the cost goes beyond that.
Mr. Allan Longacre, Director of Arts, estimated that the additional ex-
penses will come in at about ten thousand dollars. He said that the
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/7
project was now a $47,000 one which puts the architectural fees just a
little over fifteen percent, which is not unusual for a remodeling project
with all the potential problems involved in bringing that facility up to
code at this time.
Councilman Henderson stated. that he realized that some of the increased
cost was due to supplying facilities for the handicapped, and he wished
that were spelled out. He questioned if most of the increase in cost
were, in fact, due to facilities for the handicapped.
Mr. Longacre said that the $37,000 figure was designed to provide for
certain heating and ventilating corrections to the facility.and also
some aesthetic improvements. He stated that at the time these items were
being developed that they caste up against the fact that,they would need
to make some changes to remove architectural barriers in that facility.
This was then discussed with Mr. Bussi as to the impact of doing this ash
a part of the project instead of making it two separate ones. It was
discovered that it would be necessary to totally elimi..hate one restroom
facility and create a new restroom in another part of the building to
accommodate wheelchairs; further, the doors will have to be totally
redesigned. All of this is expected to cost about ten thousand dollars
in excess of the thirty -seven -thousand -dollar budget. He finished by
saying that the entire amount of increase is for ret.oval of architec-
tural barriers for the handicapped.
The motion to approve the contract passed on a unanimous vote.
F b M Aviation Center--Fteliminars Plans
for P210 Alto Ai CMR: 8:4
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Councilman Norton said that the Architectural Review Board seemed to
licit themselves to determirtg whether the architecture was in conformity
with the guidelines of previous reports. He questioned staff as to
whether or not they addressed themselves to the merits of the buildings
themselves and whether or not they liked them.
Mr. Donald Hodge of the Department of Public Works stated that several
years age in cooperation with the county, an architectural study of the
proposed development of the airport was made and guidelines established.
The basic lease between the county and the city provides that develop-
ment shall be in accordance with those guidelines. He said it was felt
that if any proposal cornea forth that does satisfy the intent of the
guidelines, it should be favorably considered, and it was felt that this
proposal does fully conform.
Mayor Comstock asked whether or not Mr. Hodge or Mr. Johnson attended.
the Architectural Review Board sheeting where these plans were reviewed.
Mr. Milton Johasot, architect, stated that he was at the meeting, and
the discussions that the staff and the committee had were reported in
the minutes of the Architectural Committee. He said that the committee
members seemed to feel that he had answered all of the qualifications
that were put forth, the only item questioned being that oof the design
of the trellie. He explained that the model showed the trellis to be
in gross fora, because the model is only a one -eighth model. He said
that he volunteered to come back to the Architectural Review Board with
this item when the final working drawings were prepared. They decided
that this was agreeable, and they would like to have the final landscape
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2/4/74
drawings shown at the same time. Mr. Johnsou said these drawings would
be ready along with the final working drawings. He stated that one of the
members of the Architectural Committee felt that the plans showed a homo-
geneous group of buildings, and they liked the placement of the shelters
on the property, because it left a nice vista out to the airport. The
model does_not show the hangars, but they are shown on the plans.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Norton, that Council approve
the.preliminary plans for F & M Aviation Center for Palo Alto Airport.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Ca€�ital Improvement Ptogrr : Referrals (CMR:153:4)
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MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Henderson, that the 1974-79
Capital Improvement Program be referred to the Finance and Public Works
Committee and the Planning Commission,
The motion passed on a ananisous vote.
Webster. Provert --Maintenance of Fxistin
Structures CMR:15O:
VISIONIMIDIVONIMMOMPINWP
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, seconded by Comstoc, that the Council
authorize the staff to proceed with necessary improvereents to structures
on the Webster property in order to meet Housing Code standards.
Councilman Sher questioned whether the procedure in this case might have
some utility in comparison to Fire Zone I, or is there too much differ-
ence between the two projects.
City Manager Sipel replied that small jobs such as this one will give
some experience and feel for the kind of procedures that will hav to be
gone through for Fire Zone 1.
Councilman Sher wondered if It might be possible to get some of the
information back to Council or to the committee.
# Mr. Sipel replied that they could get the work out for bid or quotation
in thirty days and have the work completed in ninety days if everything
went extremely well, but that it would be at least ninety days before
there would be completed jobs to evaluate.
Councilman Beahrs stated that he had some concern about whether life is
being put into these buildings which Council may at some future date
decide to demolish.
Mr. Sipel stated that .his feeling on this project has been to try to
delay any major improvements.until it is determined by Council whether
or not some of the houses are going to be retained. He said that the
Council decision of a month and a half ago ws.e being taken as a decision
in fact, and a decision thaw .grill not be reversed; and that the assump-
tion is that most of :the houseswillbe retained in any final design of
the proposed project. He felt that the proposed expenditures are justi-
fied in light of the Council's desire to have the houses occupied in this
interim period. He further said that in view of the likelihood that it
129
2/4/74
will be one year or more.befare the project will be in such a state that
some of the houses.will.have to be demolished, it is a good investment.
Mr. Sipel added that most of the houses will be retained over the long
terra, and four those houses .the investment will be an even better one
because they will be.brought.up..closer to a rehabilitated condition.
However. more expenditures .will .have to be made in order to move. houses
from a condition.of .compliance with the Housing Code _to. one of a fully-
rehabilitated nature.
Councilman Beaters warted . to .luster what percentages of, the figures were
attributable to rental income, or, to_what extent is the taxpayer sub-
sidizing the renter in this situation.
Mr, Sipel. explained .that . the . total .rental .from the property is shout
eighteen thousand dollars per year, half of that being maintenance cost,
so that over a couple of years, the city would come fairly close to
breaking even.
Councilman Sher stated.that evidently since the properties were not
taxed, the school district was losing about sixty --five hundred dollars
a year.
Mr. Sipel said that the.possessory interest is taxed so that the city
and the school district receive some portion.
Councilman 3seahrs.said-that he .felt skeptical and that the taxpayer
should yet wore for his buck than he sees at this print.
Councilman Norton agreed_that.he had these same concerns and that he
felt plans were going in.reverse as is often done, j.n that by improving
these properties now, we will probably find then being further improved
later on, More importantly,.he added that while he would agree that
all of these houses are.worthy of -saving from the standpoint of excel-
lence of architectural.signifieance.o r historical significance, he felt
that the city would _gain.raare .bousing if most of the houses were torn
down and new units .built on .the Webster .site, bearing in mind the half
million dollars that.is invested there now. Councilman Norton said he
could not support . any .project that .would lock the city In further main-
tenance of houses which are not worth saving.
Councilman Clay asked staff how many houses are being considered for
renovation.
Mr. Sipel replied that.the_Counc.il.was not explicit, but he believed
the direction to staff was for about seven houses to be rehabilitated.
Councilman Clay wanted to.know.if staff had determined that some of theca
didn't need renovating or that some might be demolished.
Mr. Sipel answered that the.proposed renovations to meet housing codes
range from several thousand dollars to something like one hundred dollars
and added that there.ia .no .determination as of now as to which houses
might be reta1ued.and.which would not. He added that the consultant had
suggested that the houses that.front on Webster_ and Cbanning be retained
to help keep the.single-,raaidence.character of the neighborhood, and the
ones that generally ought to.be demolished are on Middlefield. Mr. Sipel
further said that.these .plans had not yet been discussed with the people
in the neighborhood, but that they would be, and when plans were ready
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would be brought to.Council.for.approval. He stated that the high costs
for improvements are occurring on the Webster and Channing Street houses,
and the costs are fairly minimal on Middlefield.
Councilman Clay wanted to.know if.there were any houses that staff decided
not to renovate because they were beyond repair.
Mr. Sipel replied that 652 Channing would be demolished; 901 Webster has
no repairs slated; and 690 Channing is a case where all of the safety
items have been corrected by the tenant under a sweat equity program with
the city. All of the other houses need some kind of improvements.
Councilman Rosenbaum stated that.it was apparent that staff had a great
deal more information than Council and that he would like to look at this
situation in greater detail in order to get a better handle on what might
be expected in Fire Zone I. He felt that it would be interesting to take
the staff estimates and actual buildings with numbers, go down and look
at them, and see how it comes out.
MOTION TO REFER: Councilman Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Beahrs, that
the subject of Webster Site Maintenance be sent to the Finance and Public
Works Committee for more thorough review.
Mayor Comstock asked City Manager Sipel when he felt this subject might
be taken asp in the Finance and Public Works Committee.
Mr. Sipel replied that he was more concerned about Council action on the
subject than he was about when the Finance and Public Works Committee
might be able to take it up, because eighteen months have already gone
by with some houses not meeting the code, and he was becoming concerned
about the city's ability to collect rent legally. He felt the city
might become labeled as slum landlords. Mr. Sipel explained that there
has to be a point after which the houses must be brought up to some life
safety standards, or we have to ask the tenants to be relocated.
Mayor Comstock said he would like to speak against Councilman Rosenbaum's
referral motion. He felt that.Councilman Rosenbaum spoke very effec-
tively, and he agreed with his thinking but wondered if purposes would
not be just as well served if Council continued the matter for one week
and have the staff give addresses and dollar amounts, look at the houses,
and then perhaps Council could deal iiith it in a more tively manner.
REFERRAL MOTION WITHDRAWN:, Councilman Rosenbaum, with agreement of his
second, withdrew his referral motion.
MOTION TO CONTINUE: Councilman Rosenbaum moved, duly seconded, that the
matter of Webster Property Maintenance of Existing Structures be con-
tinued for one week to February 11, 1974, with the understanding that
staff will provide Council with infor ation on addresses, dolls; amounts,
and nature of repairs.
Councilman Beahrs requested that Council also receive a
the structures involved, because he wanted firmer ideas
He said that Councilman Norton had suggested that we be
not wasted efforts, and he personally felt that some of
not worth an investment of one hundred dollars.
quick review on
on this subject.
sure these are
the houses were
Vice Mayor Pearson stated that all of what is requested has been done
before, that Mr. Pawloaki had prepared a report of estimates from the
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contractors, that pictures of the buildings were given to Council, that
each member had gone through every one of the houses in question,. She
said that as far as she was concerned, every one of these houses was worth
renovating, particularly if Council wanted to preserve the neighborhood;
further, she said that in her opinion it was ridiculous to continue this
matter, and a decision to renovate the houses should be made now.
Councilman Beahrs commented that he would :tike the staff to refresh his
reooliections on this matter. _
The motion to continue passed on the following vote:
AYES: Beahrs, Clay, Comstock, Norton, Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Henderson, Pearson
Demolition of House at 652 Channin�i
cortixiue from /
MOTION: Councilman Norton moved, seconded by Rosenbaum, that the recom-
mendation of the staff to demolish the house at 652 Channing Avenue be
approved.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Fee, uest for Resolution of Welcome
Mayor. Comstock stated that a group of high school students from Caulfield,
Australian, had visited Palo Alto and attended a recent Council meting
and had been housed with members of the co:.auunity, and he wished to wel-
come them in a formal w y.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Henderson, that staff be
directed to prepare a resolution of welcome and best wishes to the stu-
dents of Caulfield Grammar School, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
County Transit District
Councilman Rosenbaum said that each member of Council had received his
memorandum dated January 31, 1974, and the attached copy of a letter
from Donald A. Frolich, chairman of the Transportation Commission,
writing in response to the two-sided emergency which we are facing,
the two sides being the gasoline shortage and EPA parking restrictions.
In addition to Mar. Frolich, he said there are other people who want
Council to take a look at whether busses can meet the transportation
problems of the county. Councilman Rosenbaum said that in his opinion
busses cannot do the job but that he wanted to have the advice of the
other Council members. He explained that in order to move all the
people who have to be moved around the county, ehousands of busses would
be required. Councilman Rosenbaum indicated that at the present time,
there are many empty seats in .cars that are moving about in the county,
and his prediction is that to meet the present emergency, aaud also in
the event of gasoline rationing, a great increase in the amount of car
pooling would be experienced. He pointed out that per. Frolich` s memo
mentions giving consideration to a parking tax to raise revenue for
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2/4/74
transit and that this should be investigated along with other methods of
getting taxes that have to do with the automobile.
MOTION: Councilman Rosenbaaum.aoved, seconded by Beahrs, that Mayor
Comstock be authorized to write a letter to the Board of Supervisors and
to the Transportation Commission recommending (1) that the planned bus
system not be significantly expanded; (2) that planning studies for a
rapid transit system proceed as quickly as possible; and (3) that serious
consideration be given to a parking tax and other automobile related taxes
to provide revenue for a transit system.
Mayor Comstock asked Councilan Rosenbaum to explain a little more what
the planned bus system entailed, such as how many busses and what type of
a system is being contemplated.
Councilman Rosenbaum replied that he was talking about a two hundred bus
system, roughly half of which would be used on fixed arterial routes pro-
viding county -wide transportation; the other half would be devoted to
small zones. He said that there are nineteen zones in the county, and
each of those zones would have dial -a -ride eervice within the one.,
Councilman Clay asked for more information about Mr. Frolich's suggestion
for a parking tax and was interested particularly in upon who the tax
burden would fall.
Councilman Rosenbaum replied that Mr. Frolich had not prepared any details
as to how the tax night be implemented or what rates r►iaht be charged
except to say that it would be something considerably less than what the
EPA was proposing.
Councilman Clay asked how.soon the planned expansion of the bus system
would take place.
Councilman Rosenbaum answered .that there was nothing definite in Mr.
Frolich's proposal.
ADDITION TO MOTION: Councilman Sher reminded Council of the great out-
cry the EPA proposal produced from the Chamber of Commerce and others,
an.d he felt it would be wise to add to point 3 in Councilman Rosenbtum's
motion, "along the lines outlined in Mr. Frolich's letter of January 9,
1974" so that it is very clear that the city is not taking over the EPA
proposal. Councilman Rosenbaum, with the agreement of Beahrs, asked that
the record reflect this addition to motion.
Councilman Rosenbaum pointed out that if Council goes ahead with these
plans for a rapid transit system, the subject of cost is going to come
up, and Mr. Pott of the county has said many times one does not need too
large a study to figure.out the cost. The first thing that was usually
talked about was running BART from Menlo Park to Fremont, and one could
easily spend five hundred million dollars on that. Ile said that one
BART line would nor do .much to alleviate the traffic problem in the
county. The popular topic now is personal rapid transit on lightweight
guideways, and it is easy to see the need for two hundred miles of this.
The cost for such a plan would be about five hundred million dollars a
vile, which indicaetea that a reasonable rapid transit system for this
county would cost one and a half .billion dollars. He went on to state
that if you sell bonds at some typical percentage for twenty-five years,
you could figure the debt service at about eight percent, or one hundred
1 3 3
2/4/74
twenty million dollars per year. Such a figure would require a property
tax increase of three dollars which is more than the county currently
charges us. He said a sales tax in the order of six percent would be
required in order to raise that aunt of money. These comments were
made to show that there is a seed for other sources of financing. People
assume that there spill he two.thirds federal financing, but in spite of
what the adminiatration is saying, there is no money available at the
moment. If the matter of rapid transportation is going to be taken seri-
ously, then it is necessary to look elsewhere for funds and perhaps a
parking tax would be a good place to look.
Counci1iw.n Henderson commented that he doea not agree with the positions
that Council ie- being asked to take. He said that the rapid transit
systems are certainly limited in that they are meant for intercounty and
intercoanunity travel, so.that it does not really take care of local
transit needs. Councilman Henderson continued that in his opinion car-
pools are a fad which work well when there is an emergency or a. potential
emergency, but the enthusiasm for carpooling quickly eases off when pub-
licity subsides and people begin to feel inconvenienced. He stated that
the proposed bus system coming up for completion this year certainly is
not adequate for our needs, but it shows some promise. He said he was
skeptical about the dial--a,bus system hut that he was happy they were
going to get the busses, and hopefully they would be used for special
trips to colleges, Aridustraal centers, shopping centers, train stations,
etc. He would not like to see the stopping of the flow of these busses
so that if the city got a contract going and found that the system was
working, and new busses could be ordered quickly, that would be very
good. He continued that any rapid transit system was so far down the
road that we rnusa not limit our possibilities for the many years ahead
of us, whether it be ten, twenty, or thirty years. He added that it
would be better to get five or six hundred busses on the road, and he
was against throwing out the bus system as yet and leaned toward expand-
ing the proposed system.
Councilman Seahrs said that Santa.Clara County is afflicted with suburban
sprawl just as Los Angeles is, and the problems are not correctable by
busses or even with rapid.tranait, and that the public will use the auto-
mobile as long as it is economical and convenient. The problem will be
ultimately solved, he felt, when the automobile becomes too expensive to
operate unless shared by.twrr or three other persons. Perhaps gasoline
at two dollars a gallon.would.be the best thing that ever happened to
us. He stated that Councilman Rosenbaum is correct in saying that there
is no solution to the bus route. Councilman Beahrs said that from his
observations, he vould.say.thet.there was no increase in th_ use of the
county bus system during the.present situation, and he wondered if there
were any statistics showing whether or not there was an indication of
increased patronage of the county bus system in Palo Alto.
Councilman Rosenbaum replied that there has been a reasonably sized
pickup throughout the .county, but that he didn't know specifically.about
Palo Alto, although there certainly had not been a massive increase in
bus riding since the snergy.criais appeared on the scene. He said he
shared Councilman Handeraon s.concerna as stated earlier but that the
numbers just don't add.up, and.be added that it would be necessary to go
to the voters if any more bums were to be added, because the bus sys-
tem now includes as many as can be .financed. He said that five or six
hundred busses just w+ouldn't.be.significant, because you could, for
instance, put thirty people on each of five hundred busses and use then
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2/4/74
all up just going to Stanford Industrial Park.
Councilman Henderson.stated,.however, that one hundred busses.taking.thirty
people each to one site keeps.2,000 or 2,500 cars off the roads, and to him
that would be a great gain.
Vice Mayor Pearson .said .that it would be wonderful indeed to have rapid
transit around the Bay and.all through the county, but she. sees that as
something occurring thirty years hence. She stated that when you talk
about a rapid transit system, you are talking about one billion dollars,
and she would rather.see_money.go.into a bus system that would get people
moving around now ---that busses would be needed in the future.as Zeeder
systems into any.rapid transit.development. She added that by bus it now
takes two hours to go .€rom.Palo Alto to Foothill College, and more busses
should be added to that.route. She said that she would support .this and
that she was more.inciined.to.go.for.the expansion of the bus system and
continue the study .of .rapid .transit .as another means of a north -south
route, and that she.was willing to consider a parking tax to support both
of them, and further that.she.was not willing at the moment to support
spending $1.7 million .to .study .rapid transit and not expand _the bus sys-
tem so that she was unable to support Councilman Rosenbau 's proposal.
Mayor Comstock asked what was.at.issue here. Is it that the various
cities need to indicate sotre.guidance.to their transportation commission,
because the com is i.on _i.s .being asked to provide answers to a cumber of
questions, and should.a step be taken .now that sight preclude options
later on? He said he wanted to be .sure answers would not be given _to
the supervisors from which there might not be any turning back.
Councilman Rosenbaum said.he.brought the matter up to_secure just the
s.,rt of discussion which .has .occurred, and that he certainly wanted to
be representative .of . the .points .of .view of the Council. He Stated that
he was not too sure .how the discussion would go. The Board o.f _Supervisors
sent this to the Transportation Commission, and the county staff is not
too fond of the .idea .of .having .tore .busses, and financially speaking,
there is no way .of running .a .larger bus system at the moment. Therefore,
there was no possibility of doing anything rash in the next few months,
but by the end of this_year,.Council will be in a better position to
decide what might .reasonably .be done. Councilman Rosenbaum indicated that
the subject of busses keeps coming up and that many people, including htme
self, regard it as a way of.putting off rapid transit, but we're never
going to go aheadwithit if we keep.saying that it will take ten or more
years and put a lot of money into busses in the meantime. Fie said he had
wanted to bring up.this.subject partially for his own guidance and .partially
to counteract same .of.the.support for a vastly increased bus system. He
pointed out that .a .five -bus .dial -a -bus system would be saturated very
quickly and that it might .well .be that the city would wart to go to ten
or fifteen busses, but .that .hit .sees .this as a wholly different subject
from attempting to move people around the county.
Councilman beahra requeated .that everyone make an attempt .to read Sylvia
Porter's column.in.the.San.Fraacieco Chronicle, February 4, 1974, on the
availability of.fedeeral.noney, and.he indicated that such a thing as free
money just does not exist any more.
The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Beahrs, Clay, Norton, Rosenbaum, Sher
HOES: Comstock, Henderson, Pearson
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2/4/74
Re uest for Staff Review .of .Citizens'
roosa or�cErn Eleanor Pardee Park
s®R �.�a rr.�n.ns�o..��a�e+rtirnrc�w
Mayor Comstock called attention to .his letter to the Council.members on
this matter and the attached .letter and, petition from citizens.. He said
that the City Manager .wou.ld .be .receiving preliminary plans soon for the
improvements in Eleanor Pardee Park, and these plans reflect earlier
Council guidance. Mayor.Comstock said letters had been received from
Mr. and Mrs. Richard .H. Marty, .1041 Channing Avenue, and Marg _Caidis,
1130 Channing Avenue, -for .exa:aple, .bringing up their concerns about the
lack of planning for.active.recreational facilities. This item had been
put on the agenda.to.bring.the situation to the attention of the Council
members. He said he was not .planning to take any action an this item at
the present time .but.that.it.would.be discussed at a future date when
staff presents the plans to Council.
Gordon P. Hayward, 1040.Channing _Avenue, presented a petition with 428
names of residents .within .a .one -half --mile radius of Eleanor Park, which
petition requests such active elements for the park as unlighted tennis
courts, handball, volleyball, or basketball courts and additional climb-
ing equipment for young children.
Councilt.an Henderson said he would like to mention that much time at
two council meetings the past year had been spent discussing active ele-
ments for Eleanor Park, specifically tennis courts. Points raised that
led to the decision last.year were: (1) negative comments from immediate
-neighbors who stated that Rineonada tennis courts were only one third of
a mile away; (2) many areas of the city are at a greater distance from
these main tennis courts and would therefore supposedly have first prior-
ity, and (3) the recreation dollar might well be put to better use in
upgrading school tennis facilities such as at Jordan Junior High School
or lighting courts such as Palo Alto High School, or adding courts to
the larger facilities. These are the points that will need to be spoken
to at the committee meeting when this subject is considered.
Mr. Hayward reported that CMR:272:4, dated May, 1972, called for two
tennis courts, a demonstration garden area, and a half acre of bolding
area. Then in December, 1973, there was a 1SOP reversal at which time
the courts were no longer on the plans.
Mr. Sipel said that in April of 1973, there was lengthy discussion at
committee level and also later at Council level, and the specific direc-
tion that staff received waa.that tennis courts not be included in the
plans. He stated that there.was a substantial difference of opinion in
the neighborhood, Mre Sipel,reported that the plans have been completed,
and if Council has any objections to them, the subject can be put on a
future agenda. Normally after discussion and staff direction, proceed-
ings are begun to solicit bids annd.to ask Council to award those bide
unless some problem comes up, which seems to be the present situation.
Mk. Sipel said a fair amount of dollars had been spent on the plans to
develop them to Councia'a.guidelines, end the plans would have to be
redrawn if it were decided .to include tennis courts. The preliminary
plan is up on the wall and has recently been reviewed with people in the
neighborhood, which probably.resulted in the petition under discussion.
Mr. Hayward said that the reason the petition was brought in at thf.s
time was to get the ideas of the people involved on record before any
firm commitment was wade or any more dollars spent.
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2/4/74
Councilman Sher stared that there -seemed to be some discrepancy between
Mr. Sipel and Councilman Henderson about the time when this decision will
be made, since apparently there is no indication this should be diacuaaed
in connection with the budget for this year. Mr. Sipel says the.plans are
ready for bid and that they will soon be on the agenda for award of bid.
Councilman Sher stated that he_wa€ sympathetic to the desire to have active
as distinguished from passive neighborhood parks so that adults will be
attracted to uue the facilities. He added that when this subject comes
up for discussion, he wants to see it fully explored when the plans are
presented to Council.
Councilman Beahrs stated that Councilman Henderson correctly reviewed the
history of this item as far as the Council is concerned,,anci in 1973,
there was much concern expressed by residents of the area who indicated
that they did not want to have the noise of tennis_ courts, and so the
emphasis was that this.was to be minimal development and to be completely
passive so to speak. He recalled that Council had to argue with the
neighbors involved that there even be lighting. He said_he felt the
people presenting the petition tonight were in fact about one year late.
He pointed out that frequently a huge amount of work is done; intense
arguments are heard; decisions are made, and then the complaints begin.
Mr. Hayward pointed out that in the December 14, 1972, staff report, it
was indicated that an Eleanor Park meeting was held, and there avere 150
residents in attendance. Members of the University and Crescent Park
Association were also invited to attend, and items suggested by the resi-
dents that the development of a passive area for the demonstration gardens
on the site of the Dixon house would be compatible with the construction
of two tennis courts.
Councilman Beahrs said that_it was Council's impression a year ago that
there was general unanimity in opposition to highly competitive sports
and the noise that sometimes attends them. He added that this night be
a good time to recnmmend a compromise of paddleboard tennis which.is a
fast game and might be something unique to have in the neighborhood.
Mr. Bruns stated that paddleboard tennis is played at handball courts,
especially at the new onus erected at Hoover Park, and this is a -very
popular sport.
Mr. Fred Rea, 150 Southwood Drive, said he would like to speak to Council-
man Beahrs' statement that there appeared to be unanimity for a passive
park among the people involved a year ago. He pointed out that three
separate studies had been made, two by the University/Crescent Park
Association and one by the city staff. All three reportee concluded that
the number one facility that the people would like to see in this park
was tennis courts. He added that these surveys covered about 200 or
300 people in the area. He said that at the meeting Councilman Beahrs
was referring to, there were seven people whose property was immediately
adjacent to the par', expressing concern about noise levels, and he felt
with proper planning and screening, two tennis courts located in the
middle of that acreage are certainly not going to cause any trouble at
all.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, seconded by Beahrs, that the prelimin-
ary plans and citizens' petition of 428 signatures be referred to the
Finance and Public Works Committee for further consideration.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
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Oral Communications
1. Frank Manfredi, 219 Addison, stated that the Council needed
to be made aware of the population explosion and that nobody in govern-
ment or industry was willing to do anything about it. He stated that
in thirty years tha population ,would double, and he wanted to know if
any thinking was being done with regard to taking care of those people.
He suggested that eminent speakers address Council on this matter and
that then the problem should be brought before the people.
Executive Session
Council adjourned to Executive Session re litigation at 9:25 p.m.
Adjournment
The meting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
ATTEST;
APPROVE:
City Clerk // Mayor
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