HomeMy WebLinkAbout03251974CITY
COUNCIL
MINUTES
March 25, 1974
Adjourned Meeting of March 18, 1974
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:3) p.m.
in an adjourned meeting of March 18, 1974, with Mayor Comstock presiding.
Present: Heahrs, Comstock, Henderson, Norton (arrived 7:_45
p.m.), Pearson, Rosenbaum, Sher
Absent: Berwald, Clay
tZeay,est of Councilman Henderson that
Council Support:ACA 40
Councilman Henderson read his memo to Council dated March 14, 1974, regarding
ACA 40, which is a proposed repeal of Article 34. Article 34 requires
a referendum to the voters an any locally subsidized housing program.s.
M0il0 : Councilman Henderson :roved, seconded by Pearson, that Council
direct the Mayor to write a letter to appropriate state legislators in sup-
port of ACA 40, proposed repeal of Article 34, California State Constitution.
Councr.inan leans asked if repealing Article 34 would affect the percentage
of votes required in a bond issue for example. Councilman Henderson
replied negatively.
Councilman Sher asked if this would affect something like the projected
rehabilitation program in Fire Zone 1 if in part of the program there
were some kind of conditions as to who would be eligible for rehabilitated
housing. :sir. Grigoni replied negatively, explaining that Article 34
did not apply to rehabilitation programa because they are not directly
involved in providing subsidized housing that would be under the ownership
of the city.
Councilman Sher asked if this would not apply to the piggy -back housing
program either since that did not go to a vote of the people. Mr.
Boot: said this section applied only to acquiring, constructing, or
developing housing for persons of law/ moderate incomes.
Councilman Sher stated that he supported the motion and did not feel
this kind of prohibition should be built into the Constitution. He
wanted to make it clear that on any given occasion where the city had
a program that might otherwise fall within the constitutional requirement,
the city might at that time want to go to a vote of the people.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote, (6-O)`.
Re uest of Councilman Henderson that
Lauttc Sore
sry.orrr�rarisar rrnxrra ernm.+Are4
Councilman Henderson referred Council to Chi&:212:4 dated March 7, )974,
with regard to SB 1633, California Housing Finance Corporation Act.
Staff recommended that the City of Palo Alto support this bill, and
he concurred.
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MOTION: Councilman Henderson moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Pearson,
that the Council direct the Mayor to write to the appropriate state
legislators expressing Palo Alto's support of SB 1633.
The notion passed on a unanimous vote, (6-0).
Re nest of Ma or Comstock for Council
ons2. eras on o_ a egueu cen en�-,ial Committee
Mayor Comstock referred Council to Mr. John Snow's letter of March
15, 1974, in which he asked for $500.00 to cover the cost of miscellaneous
office supplies for use by the Palo Alto Bicentenntial Committee.
Mr. John Snow, 105 Lowell Avenue, reported that all of the groups and
units of every kind in the city from the Recreation Department on down
are showing much enthusiasm for the coming Bicentennial activities.
He asked that the City support the Bicentennial Committee financially to
meet incidental expenses.
See p. 367
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3/25/74
Vice Mayor Pearson inquired how much the city allocated to the 1975th anni-
versary. Mr. Sipel replied the amount was in the neighborhood of $12,000
to $15,000. Vice `mayor Pearson asked if the city had requested a return
of funds if Loney were made on the ball which, in fact, was poorly
attended. IT. Sipel replied affirmatively.
Counciiran Henderson stated that during the discussion of an item in the
Capital EWprovetLents Program which Involved $100;000 for Art in Public
Places as a Bicentennial iteni, Mr. Sipel bad said there would be considera-
tion of lesser amounts. Therefore, he felt tonight's request might
be covered in the Operating Eudget. He asked if it were not true that
the only thing listed for any funding was the Capital Improvement item.
Mr. Sipe' said this assumption was correct, and tie understanding was
that there would be no American Bicentennial funding by the city. Councilman
Henderson asked then whatwas the expected source of funding.
Mayor Comstock recaeled that when he first raised thin matter and asked
Council's concurrence in asking people to form a Citizens Committee,
he told Council then that no money was being committed. The Committee
understood this, and Mr. Snow was present now to state that some :coney
was needed and to ask for it directly.
Councilman Henderson noted that he would rather see some amounts used
for the purposes proposed than the $100,000 that was in the Capital
Lmprovements Program. however, he wondered if this request could be
handled at budget tine for the new fiscal year. He asked if the Bicentennial.
Committee could get along for three months until this request could
be discussed by the Finance Committee.
Councilman Rosenbaum said it was his hope was that the major effort
in this matter would be made by the citizens, but he felt it would
be appropriate for the city to pay for stamps, envelopes, and such
miscellaneous Items.
MOTION: Councilman Rosenbaum coved, seconded by Beahrs, that the city
pay for incidental expenses such as postage and stationery associated
with the administration of the Bicentennial Committee, such amount
not to exceed $500.00 going through the end of this fiscal year.
A suggestion was made not to limit the amount to $500.
Mr. Sipel expressed concerned that staff could get into some extremely
gray areas in this matter; for example, printing, which could cost well
in excess of $500.00. He stated staff would be more comfortable with
the limit, which Councilman Rosenbaum then added to his motion.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote, (6-0).
(Councilman Norton arrived at 7:45 p.m.)
Re neataof Ma or Comstock for Resolution
uu (man Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra's
ua s g ve
Mayor Comstock noted that Council had been delightfully serenaded last
week by the Palo .Alto Chamber Orchestra, at which time he had taken
the liberty of precommitting Council's support.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock roved, seconded by Henderson, that staff prepare
a resolution of commendation of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra and
endorsing their fund raising drive to send the Orchestra to the International
Festival of Youth Orchestras in Aberdeen, Scotland.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
lost of Vice Mayor Pearson that Staff Pe or
;pp
to ounc Rar n •1'tton Plaza
Vice Mayor Pearson referred to her letter dated March 14, 1974, to
Council with regard to Lytton Plaza. She said Lytton Plaza is a pleasant
oasis in downtown Palo Alto and is put to good use by shoppers and workers.
For a time it had been a center for demonstrations, and Great Western
found it iepo,paible to maintain. Times have changed and demonstrations
are now ranee: Vice Mayor Pearson felt a mini park was much needed
in downtown Palo Alto and would be a complement to the Downtown Beautifica-
tion Plan.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, that council
direct Staff to investigate with Great Western methods whereby the
Plaza can be maintained as open space, and that staff and the City
Attorney investigate whether the public has certain rights over the
property as a result of public use over a long -period, and report back
to. Council.
Councilman Beahrs stated his opposition to the city picking up slivers
of land for park purposes. He said he felt the proposal was out of
harmony with the geuena1 decorative effects of the Beautification Program,
and further felt that the taxpayers were already putting enough money
into University Avenue_. It wee his contention that the money required
to refurbish and maintain Lytton Plaza should go into neighborhood
parka where there would be more utility realized out of the Investment.
He added there were painful memories connected with Lytton Plaza, and
he feared that one day there would be a request that it be named Venceremos
or Syabioneae Memorial Park, and be personally would rather forget
the whole episode.
Councilman Henderson said he did not feel that past uses of the Plaza
should be considered when the city was trying to decide whether it would
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be a wise thing to own or lease the site. He stated there was no reason
for not checking out the cost involved since there was no commitment
at this time, and he felt urged to do so when he thought of the possibility
of a new office building going in on that site.
Mr. Sipel asked Council to clarify whether staff should explore preserving
this area as open space on a permanent or temporary basis, or both.
Vice Mayor Pearson replied it was her airs to preserve the space, and
while it could be approached on a temporary basis, perhaps in the long
run the city would want it on a permanent basis.
Mr. Sipel pointed out t:tat during the Capital Improvements discussions
with the Finance Committee, members of the Planning Commission made
the observation that some of the projects staff had suggested were being
undertaken in a very piecemeal way, when what was needed was an overall
open space urban design plan for the downtown area. He asked how does this
assignment fit in with that philosophy, and whether or not this was
the philosophy of the Council.
See p. 367
Vice Mayor Pearson replied there were many plans for mini --parks in downtown
Palo Alto, but none of them were pinpointed because of the fear of
prices going sky high if the city indicated interest. On the other
hand, Lytton Plaza has been in existence for ten years, and the city
should seize upon the opportunity to keep it.
Mr. Sipel ,asked if, in terms of timing, Council would like to have
the report back so that if Council wanted to take some action in terms
of dollars, this could be included in the budget for the next fiscal
year.
Vice Mayor Pearson replied .-frirmatively.
Mayor Comstock stated he would support Vice Mayor Pearson's motion
because he was tneerested in receiving a variety of information. He
said he was not sure at this point hew he felt about the city buying
the land, but thought it might be very appealing to lease it for two
or three years until some development possibilities arise. A lease
that did not entail a very high lease cost might provide some advantages
to the city. On the other hand, eventually he might not be interested
in seeing the Plaza become dedicated park land, bait its use as a. public
plaza mad maintained in a clean and appealing way might provide positive
advantages and back up the work that is going on to improve the general
appearance of the downtown area.
The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Comstock, Clay, Henderson, Pearson, Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Seaters, Norton
e west of Councilman Berwald re Unity House
MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by B ahrs, that this item be
continued to the meeting of April 8.
Councilman Sher noted that several members of the Palo Alto Drug Abuse
Board were in the audience, and he Celt they should have an opportunity
to address Council,
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Mayor Comstock pointed out that Councilman Berwald had placed this
item an the agenda, and since he could not be present due to illness,
it seemed appropriate to continue the item to April 8 when he could
be present.
Councilman Henderson agreed that this item should be continued. He
pointed out that the PACDAB agenda for Wednesday night would include dis-
cussion of the fate of Unity House, so there would be more input available
on April 8.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Ado o urnmen t
The meeting of March 18 was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Regular Meti 2Lar Z 197
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in a regular
meeting at 8:00 p.m. with Mayor Comstock presiding.
P_esent: Beahrs, Clay (arrived 8:50 p.m.), Comstock, Henderson,
Norton, Rosenbaum, Sher, Pearson.
Absent: Berwald
A ril 1 R ular Meeting Canceile,s3,
e�: a. eet n et
Mayor Comstock noted that the April 1 meeting would be scheduled as
a special meeting and made the following motion:
MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Henderson, that the regular
meeting of the City Council be cancelled and in its place be scheduled
a special meeting, the sole subject being a presentation by the City
Manager regarding the annual city budget and a personnel session.
Councilman Beahrs in order to encourage public attendance at the special
meeting asked Mr. Sipel to make a statement of the general nature of
the subjects to be presented. Mr. Sipel replied that be had sent out
invitations to many persons in the community to alert them about this
special meeting. He stated the purpose of the meeting would be to
analyze the last several years regarding trends in the city, to talk
about issues that have been dealt with, and to look at some of the
issues to be dealt with in the near future.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Minutes of larch 4_a 1974
wismaffirro omeRomaarem
Councilman Sher referred to page 213, fifth line from the bottom and
requested that the spelling of HrP Heymann's name be corrected; and
that the word "his" in the fourth line from the bottom be corrected
3 1 5
3/25/74
to "him". He noted that the third paragraph on page 216 should be
attributed to Councilman Clay rather than to himself. Councilman Sher
pointed out that the time period in the Amendment to the Substitute
Motion should be 120 days rather than 90 days as indicated on page
224. He asked that on page 235, third paragraph, that the last words
be changed from "the action was appropriate" to "the consideration
of that matter by the Planning Commission was appropriate". On page
242, in the fourth line from the bottom of the next to the last paragraph,
the word after "ordinance" should be "and".
Councilman Henderson referred to page 228, second line of the next
to lest paragraph, and asked that the spelling of "Willow" be corrected.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Pearson, that the minutes
be approved as revised.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Retirement of James McDaniel
MOTION: Mayor Comstock introduced the following resolution and moved,
seconded by Vice Mayor Pearson, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 4907 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO JAMES McDANIEL
UPON HIS RETIREMENT"
Mr. Sipel stated that Mr. McDaniel was in the audience and asked Mayor
Comstock to present a plaque to him after the resolution had been passed.
He said Mr. McDaniel is known affectionately as "Big Jim" and had been with
the city for seventeen and a half years, working in the Streets Division.
Mr. Sipel noted that Mr. McDaniel would prefer to continue working but his
health did not - permit that. He said Mr. McDaniel had done a very fine job
for the city, and he was sorry to see him retire.
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous vote.
Mayor Comstock presented the plaque. Mr. McDaniel stated he was glad
to receive the plaque, but he was sorry to be retiring. He said he -
appreciated being a member of the City of Palo Alto for over seventeen
years.
Retirement of Charles L. Williams
MOTION: Mayor Comstock introduced the following resolution and moved,
seconded by Henderson, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 4903 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OP THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO CHARLES L.
WILLIAMS UPON HIS RETIR.24E iI"
Hr. Sipel said that Mr. Williams was retiring from the Police Department
after thirteen years due to a back injury. Presently, }r. Williams
has no plans but he is hoping to find a job that will not require a
lot of physical labor.
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous vote.
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3/25/74
Resolutions of A reciation
are as orce
Vice Mayor Pearson stated that in the latter part of 1972 a Child Care
Task Force was appointed by the City Council. This was a diverse group,
representing all points of view, with the common goal of developing
a child care program in Palo Alto. The task force had a sixty day
deadline, and they made an incredible display of devotion and hard
work. After the City Council's approval in June of 1973, the Child
Care Task Force formed a corporation and proceeded to draft a contract
and a budget and some of the child care programs for Palo Alto which will
be before Council in Item 10 of tonight's agenda. The group succeeded
in getting approximately $6,000 of Federal Sick Child Care money and
$35,000 from the County. Child care is definitely needed by a significant
number of parents in Palo Alto, and it is a necessity for at least
1,200 families whose head of household is a woman. These female head -
of -household families contain approximately 1,900 children who must
have child care if their mothers are to remain off the welfare roles.
This program is most important, in the final analysis, not to the Child
Care Task Force, or to the professional and volunteer child care teachers,
or to the City Government, Council, or Staff, but to the children themselves.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson introduced the following resolutions and
roved, seconded by Comstock, their adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 4909 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
Ii!E CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF VIRGINIA. DEBS"
! SOW T ION NO. 4910 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF WALTER BOUGERE"
RESOLUTION NO. 4911 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF MARGARET ANN bROSTROM"
RESOLUTION NO. 4912 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL O?
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS : AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF REVEREND COLIN CAMPIELL, JR.
RESOLUTION NO. 491.3 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
Tae CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OP MARJORIE CARMEL"
RESOLUTION NO. 4914 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF LESLIE CONLEY"
RESOLUTION NO. 4915 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY CR PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF EDITH EDDY"
RESOLUTION NO. 4916 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING iRE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF SISTER M. AGATHA ANN FARRELL"
RESOLUTION NO. 4917 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO C fENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF MAXINE JACKSON"
RESOLUTION NO. 4918 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF 1HE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF ROBERT M. KEMP"
RESOLUTION NO. 4919 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICI: OF MEL MALINOWSKI"
RESOLUTION NO. 4920 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF CAROL PETERSON"
RESOLUTION NO. 4921 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF BETTY ROGAWAY"
RESOLUTION NO. 4922 FNTITLLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OU'TSTAN'DING PUBLIC SERVICE OF BILL THOMPSON"
RESOLUTION NO. 49'13 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO CCMMINDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF LIZBETH WEBSTER"
RESOLUTION NO. 4924 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTAND1 G PUBLIC SE~'•.'ICE OF LENA W'IKRMARATNE10
RESOLUTION NO. 4925 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF TAE cir OF PALO ALTO COMMENDING THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF CORINNE BRAZIER"
The resolutions were adopted on a unanimous vote.
Vice Mayor Pearson made comments about each member of the Task Force, the
work they performed and complimented them on their diligence.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
MOTION: Councilman Henderson moved, seconded by Mayor Comstock, that
Item 5 on the agenda 'he Planning Commission's recommendation, be moved
forward to be considered with Item 4, which relate to the Finance and
Public Works Committee's recommendations re Metropolitan Transportation
Commission.
The motion to consider these items together passed on a unanimous vote.
Councilman Henderson recalled that the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission Regional Transportation Plan was referred by the Council
simultaneously to the Planning Commission and the Finance and Public
Works Committee. He said that rather than have two sets of recommendations
cone to the Council, the Planning Commission met on February 13 and
sent its recommendations on to the Finance and Public Worke Committee,
which on March 12 approved the eight recommendations made by the Planning
Commission with an amen►daen: to number eight and an added ninth recommendatio
Council members received minutes of broth these meetings in their packets
and also the excellent staff report prepared by George Zimmerman.
Councilman Henderson said the staff recommendaticns constitute the
first five of the Planning Commission recommendations. The recommendations
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3/25/74
of the Planning. Commission relating to the MTC Regional Transportation
Plan were: 1) Restate Palo Alto's support of the Regional Transportation
Plan and commend the :Metropolitan Transportation Commission for: (a)
the Plan's emphasis on a "balanced" transportation system for the Bay
Region, (b) the concern for the nobility of persons now denied adequate
transportation, and (c) the Plan's recognition of the need for proper
evaluation of the impact of all future projects on the region's environment.
2) Restate Palo Alto's opposition to the Dumbarton Bridge Replacement
and urge the Metropolitan Transportation Commission not to reclassify
the Dumbarton project at the March 27 public hearing.
3) Urge that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission exert its influence
to divert a larger proportion of state and federal highway funds for
the expansion of public transit and the development of regional bikeway
and trail systems.
4) Request that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission distribute
its final EIR on the Regional Transportation Plan at an early date so
that the communities in the Bay Region can adequately review and comment
on the EIR prior to the public hearing.
5) Remind the Metropolitan Transportation Commission that while Palo
Alto recognizes the transportation needs within the region are indeed
diverse, an appointed agency such as the Metropolitan Trar_sportat_ton
Commission must remain acutely responsive to needs and desires of t;he
communities located within the nine county Say Region.
6) Urge the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to use its influence
to postpone proposed relocation of the SP Terminal at Third and Townsend
in San Francisco until such time as a coordinated transit plan between
San Francisco and the Peninsula is developed.
7) Urge the Metropolitan Transportations Commission to reflect in its
Regional Teaasportation Plan the Environmental Protection Agency's strong
national policy to reduce auto traffic,
8) Request the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to consider the
time frame for the widening of Route 237 to freeway standards between
Route 17 and the Baythore Freeway as a viable alternative to the Dumbarton
Bridge Replacement.
Councilman Henderson said the Finance and eublic Works Committee wished
to amend Item 8 to state that the city would support the widening of
Route 237 only if the Dumbarton Bridge were not rebuilt. He said it
was the sense of the Committee_ to simply take Number 8 and add to it
the words "but_ that widening of Route 237 be supported only if the Dumbarton
Bridge is not rebuilt".
Councilman Henderson said the Committee had an added recommendation; 9)
that a study be made to consider the recovery of the unearned increment
in land values resulting from pu:3lic investments in trait facilities
as a possible additional source of income.
MOTION: Councilman Henderson moved, seconded by Comstock, that the
Finance and Public Works Cosalttee recommendations be approved by Council
regarding the MTC Regional Transportation Plan with the changes as
stated.
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3/25/74
Vice Mayor Pearson asked if Number 7) would have more impact if it were
noted that a use permit would be necessary if traffic is encouraged.
She said it was her understanding that if 20,000 cars more were expected
by 1980, then a use permit would be required.
AMENDMENT: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, that an
amendment be made to Item 7) of the Finance and Public Works Committee's
recommendations making reference to the proposed piece of rule making
in the area where it refers to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Mr. Zimmerman confirmed that this language would be inserted.
Councilman Beahrs recalled that there was considerable discussion on
the probable provision for public transportation on the Dumbarton Bridge,
and there is no mention of this in the recommendations. He said as
much as Palo Alto opposed the bridge, they would be outvoted and he
feared the bridge would be coming ultimately regardless of what Palo
Alto wants. Therefore, he felt it was important to tie in the idea
of public transportation.
Mr, Sipel stated that some time ago Council directed staff to pursue
means by which score kind of rapid transit could be developed across
the bridge. He said staff had been working jointly with East Palo
Alto to do that and in the next few weeks would be sending a letter
to MTC requesting their assistance in this regard, so the subject is
covered for the time being.
Councilman Beahrs asked if this would be staff or Council action.
Mr. Sipel replied that the communication would be as the recormendzti.on
of the Council.
;Mayor Comstock added that Council's original statement of opposition
to the bridge some time ago listed, among other points, criticism of
the fact that provision for any form of mass transit has not 1. en included
in the proposal.
Vice Mayor Pearson noted that the EPA did suggest that there had to
be reference to mass transportation in the new rules, or at least that
there should be consideration of it. If so it should be added that
Palo Alto supports that idea,
The amendment to the motion passed on a unanimous vote.
See p. 367 The motion as amended passed on a unanimous vote,
Lirida�i Research Corporation Contract
Councilman Henderson, Chairman of the Finance & Public Works Committee,
said the Service Management System project vas funded for the current
fiscal year through a $40,000 federal grant from HUD. The purpose
of the project is to design an efficiency measurement and analysis
system which would measure and report overall program performances
within city departments in relation to stated objectives. The program
is being developed throughout the city government, concentrating this
year on the Police and Recreation Departments. The Finance and Public
Works Committee has met several times with the SKS team, and is working
closely with the because of the application of performance measure nta
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3/25/74
in budget considerations. One phase of the SMS project is a citizen
survey to provide community evaluation of police and recreation services.
Staff recommended to the Committee the employment of Diridon Research
Corporation of San Jose, and the Committee recommends approval by the
Council..
MOTION: Councilman Henderson, in behalf of the Finance and Public Works
Committee, moved that Council approve the proposed contract between the
City of Palo Alto and Diridon Research Corporation to ^onduct a citizen
survey for the Service Management System project.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
College Terrace Traffic .Study
Vice Mayor Pearson stated that after twenty years and probably twenty
plans, there is now recommended Plan X, which was formerly the Henderson
Plan. She explained that basically the plan is to close Yale, Williams,
and Cornell and Princeton at Stanford Avenue, to close Oberlin, Harvard,
and Hanover. at California; and to close Columbia, Bowdoin, and Amherst
at Stanford. Three-way stop signs would be placed at Yale, Wellesley,
Oberlin, and Bowdoin on to Stanford; and threeway stop signs at Williams,
Princeton, and Hanover on California Avenue. There would be a traffic
signal and timing modifications at Escondido and Hanover. Stanford
will move the Escondido barrier to allow the Stanford tenants to enter
onto Escondido and not have to go out on Stanford Avenue to get back
on the campus, and this will also still allow the day nursery students
and Escondido buses to enter Escondido at Stanford, The city will
request the state to post no right turns off of El Camino from 6:00
to 9:00 a.m. and request the county to post no left turns off Junipero
Serra from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m., and Stanford should simultaneously make
these requests. Last, the staff will prepare a leaflet for the residents
of College Terrace ,and other areas explaining the new traffic plan,
which the residents will distribute. This is all to be for a three
month trial period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson, La behalf of the Policy and Procedures Com-
mittee, moved that Council approve the followingrecommendations re College
Terrace:
a. Approval of Plata X with the change that the barrier on Yale Street
be on Stamford Avenue rather than on California, and that this
plan be for a trial period of three months with a staff report at
at the end of that time.
b. That the City Council approach the County about placing "no left
turn" (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) signs on Junipero Serra and approach
the State about placing "no right turn" (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.)
aigns on El Camino Real to deter traffic from Stanford Avenue
during rush hours.
c. That the City Council ask the staff to prepare e. leaflet for the
residents of College Terrace and other areas explaining the new
traffic plan.
Councilman Henderson felt there were three major factors to consider
in developing a traffic plan for the College Terrace area and ranked
them in the following order of importance in his opinion: 1) Eliminate
if possible cr at least greatly reduce the commute traffic, 2) Do that
without causing a substantial inconvenience to College Terrace residents;
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See p. 367
See p. 3b7
and 3) Cut the commute traffic without eliminating access to shoppf.ng,
church, and school facilities for Stanford campus residents. Councilman
Henderson felt that if you started with these criteria, Plan X seemed
to fall right into line. By blocking off groups of streets on alternate
sides of College Terrace, and by having every street block off on
one side or the other, through commute traffic is forced to the inconveni-
ence of winding through the area. However, the inconvenience to residents
is minimal because every resident has direct access to either Stanford
Avenue or California Avenue, and all continue to have direct access
to California Avenue. To discourage traffic on California Avenue
stop signs are suggested, which would add to travel time. Stanford
Avenue is now reopened ending what has been a major inconvenience
for many campus and College Terrace residents. The proposed traffic
signal modifications proposed for Stanford and Hanover are good, and
the proposed no left turn at Juniper° Serra and Stanford and no right
turn at El Camino and Stanford are beneficial additions to the plan.
Councilman Henderson expressed some conr_ern about the setback of the
barrier on Bowdoin, and added he did not think there was any perfect
plan that would do all the things wanted, but it was his hope that
Plan X would be satisfying to all except the through commuters.
Mr. James Culpepper, 2121 Amherst Street, referred to his letter of
March 24, 1974, to the members of Council. Mr. Culpepper said that
members of the College Terrace Residents" Association did not feel
that right turns from Juniper° Serra Boulevard on to Stanford Avenue
should be prohibited. He indicated that the original proposal of
the Traffic Engineer was to prohibit right turns, and it was not now
entirely clear co him what prohibiting left turns would do. Mr. Culpepper
added that the Association felt the Bowdoin barrier should be at Stanford
Avenue rather than set back. He agreed with Councilman Henderson
that the Yale barrier should be at Stanford, as the Committee recommended.
He said the College Terrace Residents' Association strongly supported
the proposed plan and commended the staff, particularly Mr. Noguchi
and Mr. T. Zimmerman, for their very expert assistance in solving
a complex and occasionally controversial problem.
Er. David Raskin, 1575 Stanford Avenue, said he would like to see_
the Henderson Pin approved in its original symmetry. Mr. Haskin
did not feel that the barrier on Bowdoin should be moved, as requested
by the Lutheran Church, because the barrier as planned would not be
much of an inconvenience to people going to the church. He looked
at the number of cars going to the church on various days, counted
the spaces along Stanford Avenue, and came to the conclusion that
not more than ten of them would actually to required to travel the
distance from the Stanford/Bawdoin corner down to Hanover and back
up College in order to get to their parking lot. He asked Council
to give some consideration to sliding the barrier down to Stanford
Avenue and finding out whether persons coming to the Lutheran Center
could learn to live with it.
Vice Mayor Pearson said the Committee did make a recommendation for
the Readerson Plan which was that Bowdoin have the barrier at the
corner, but Staff was directed to go back and talk to the people at
the Stanford Lutheran Church to find oat what kind of problems this
might create, She indicated her Willingness to have the barrier at
the corner as the Committee had recommended. As to the left turn
off of Junipero Serra Boulevard on to Stanford, that was what the
Committee did decide, and this as to prohibit that turn in the morning
to those people comiag down Juniper() Serra, who w;tt to go down Stanford
Avenue and then over to the campus. They are being encouraged to
go into Stanford from another direction. Vice Mayor Pearson explained
that the one on El Camino Real was a no right turn for people traveling
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south, and this would prohibit traffic from going on to Stanford Avenue
in the morning and traveling through College Terrace to get to the
Industrial Park, hopefully forcing these people to go on to Page Mill
Road.
Councilman Sher pointed out that the two points raised by Mr. Culpepper
were talked about extensively in the Committee meetings. He said
the recommendation is accurate, and Mr. Culpepper's suggestion about
no right turns on Junipero Serra was not the action taken by the Committee.
These are actions which require the approval of the county and the
state since the city has no power over county and state roads, and
the motion is to approach them for cooperation. With regard to the
Bowdoin barrier, the Committee was also very concerned about the problem
that might possibly be created by not putting the barrier at the corner.
feop1e will go down that street and then have to make a u --turn because
they would hit the barrier in mid --block. Councilman Sher said it
was his understanding that this was not a final determination, but
a report would be made in three months as to how the plan was working.
If the plan appears to be generally working, the barriers would be
made permanent. iie felt the location of the barrier should be reconsidered
at the end of that theee month trial period. He said a possibility
would be to put the barrier in at the corner and then cooperate with
the with the church in re -orienting the parking lot so that the exit See p. 367
and entrance could be changed.
Councilman Rosenbaum referred to the staff report, page 2, Item 3, which
comments that the relocation of the Yale Street barrier from California
to Stanford tends to make the stop sign at Yale and Stanford perhaps
unnecessary. He asked if someone from the Committee might want to
comment on that.
Vice Mayor Pearson said this was talked about, but drivers would still
be able to core down and go up Stanford Avenue and still have Yale
open from the other side, and the Committee felt that for safety a
three-way stop sign was needed.• Councilman Rosenbaum said the map
shows that you could not enter Yale at Stanford, and so a three-way
sign would certainly not be needed. Vice Mayor Pearson replied that
you need to stop Yale Street traffic from the campus side,
Councilman Norton asked why there needed to be a no right turn from
El Camino on to Stanford, when there is nowhere you could go except
through four stop signs and a signal, either on the campus or Peter
Coutts, and eventually to Stanford Avenue to snake a right turn only.
Vice Mayor Pearson responded that there had been testimony from commuters
that their idea of getting to Stanford Industrial Park was to miss
Page Mill Road, and so they would make a right turn off of El Camino
on to Stanford and then found their way through College Terrace. See
Councilman Norton said he did not see the need for an additional impediment
on movement.
AMENDMENT; Councilman Norton moved, seconded by Henderson, deletion
of the second half of part (b) of the motion, starting with the words
"and Approach the state about placing. . ."
Mr. Dave Uggla, 446 Forest, at,ated that the original concern that
prompted the idea of putting the Bowdoin barrier at mid -block was
the added convenience in getting to the church, or perhaps not so
much that as telling someone how to get there. A point that is considered
more significant at this time is the fact that five days a week there
is a nursery school day-care arrangement at the church, and during the
p•
367
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3/25/74
good weather children will be spenJing more time outside on the lawn
and occasionally in the parking lot. With the barrier at the end
of Bowdoin flush with Stanford Avenue, there has been a fairly severe
problem with residents in the three block or so area of College Terrace
who are inconvenienced. He said it was felt that as long as one
end of the church parking lot is on one side of the barrier and one
end is on the other side of the barrier, there will be this problem.
Charles Walker, Assistant City Manager, said the staff's understanding
of the Committee action relative to the turning pT.ohibition from Junipero
Serra and from El Camino was that this would not be a part of Plan
X as immediately implemented, primarily because of the time it would
take to approach the county. Mr. Walker said the plan had been to
go ahead with Plan X, and then approach the county and the state relative
to Palo Alto's attitude about the turning prohibitions. When staff
came back to Council with a report on the effectiveness of Plan X,
they would also be able to report attitudes on the turning movements
and in addition provide staff assessment, He commented that staff
would like to be able to measure the effectiveness of Plan X without
the turning prohibitions before they are actually put into effect.
Vice Mayor Pearson agreed this was the understanding at the time the
motion was passed by the Committee.
Councilman Henderson pointed out that staff's Plan X had the Yale
barrier over on California Avenue, and he thought that with that in
mind, the Committee suggested the prohibition of the right turn because
traffic could come right up to Yale and zigzag through quite easily.
By getting the barrier back to Stanford Avenue side of Yale, the effect
is to make it quite difficult to get through, `,hich is why he seconded
Councilman Norton's motion. He felt the whole thing was taken care
of by the fact that Plan X would first be tested and then make determinations
Councilman Henderson said he thought he understood Councilman Sher
to say that the barrier on Bowdoin was recommended by Committee to be
in the middle of the block, when actually the recommendation places it at
the end of the block. The plan would have to be amended to put the
barrier in the middle.
Councilman Sher said the map shown by staff indicated the barrier
not at the end of the block. Questions were raised about this at corr-
m.fttee so staff was reqseated to contact the church, and the action
taken was on a map showing the barrier not at mid -block but somewhat
removed from the end of the block.
Vice Mayor Pearson said it was her understanding that the Committee
recommended that the barrier be put at the corner, and the staff was
to determine whether or not this would be a hardship on the church.
Then the barrier could be changed at the Council level if that were
desired.
Councilman Sher replied the Committee passed Plan X which included
a map showing the Bowdoin barrier set back somewhat from the barriers
on the other streets. Concern was raised about this, so staff agreed
to talk to people at the church about the matter and report back at
this meeting.
Mayor Comstock noted that the report of the Committee as relayed to
Council in the staff report shows the barrier in the area of 2111-
2125 Bowdoin, which is about halfway between Stanford and College.
3 2 4
3/25/74
The amendment to the motion failed on the following vote: See p. 367
AYES: Norton
NOES: Beahrs, Clay, Comstock, Henderson, Pearson,
Rosenbaum, Sher
Councilman Norton asked staff to confirm that they would not within
the three month period be submitting a request to the state.
Mr. Walker responded that had been staff's plan before the last vote,
but he was not sure now whether Council was saying it wanted the no left
turns to be implemented as part of the immediate plan.
Mayor Comstock explained that the motion before Council was the one
as shown on the agenda including part (b) which is that Council approach
the county and the state concerning turn restrictions.
Vice Mayor Pearson stated it was her recollection that the intent
of the Committee was that the barrier be moved back to the corner,
and that was where she felt it should be.
AMENDMENT: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, that the
motj.on be amended to add that the barrier on i3owdoin be at the corner
of Stanford and Bowdoin.
Councilman Henderson said if he understood :a7. Walker correctly, if
the right turn business were left in the mtion, nothing would happen
until Plan X hai been tested for a while. If a no ri;tht turn off
El Camino were going to be put in immediately, then he wanted his
vote changed to an "aye".
Mayor Comstock explained that only a response would be sought from
the county and the state.
Councilman Sher stated that he viewed this matter ao an open question,
and he was reluctant to move the barrier back as long as there is
the possibility of the traffic going through the parking lot in order
to avoid the barrier. He said he would favor this motion if there
were some way to control traffic entry into the church parking lot
from Stanford Avenue, otherwise he would have to oppose it at least
during the trial period.
The amendment failed on the following vote:
AYES: Henderson, Pearson
NOES: Beahrs, Clay, Comstock, Norton, Rosenbaum, Sher
See p. 367
Councilman Clay said he did not feel sure that most of the interests
of the residents of College Terrace were being taken care of. His
understanding of citizen input was that the people who live in College
Terrace may be just as concerned about the proposed barriers as not
having any barriers there at all. Statistics had been given to Council
as to the cause of the problems, and he said the cause was either
internally generated or the problem is caused by either, or both,
Stanford Industrial Park and Stanford University. Councilman Clay
pointed out that if the problem is internally generated, then barriers
are not the solution to the problem; if the problem is externally
325
3/25/74
generated then a look should be taken at the entry points to College
Terrace. Thera are two such points, one is Junipero Serra on to Stanford,
and the other is El Camino on to Stanford. If those two factors are
not controlled, then the problem will not be solved. He said he would
oppose the total modification because it did not get to the crux of
the problem. It was his contention that in six months there would
be complaints from College Terrace residents about the inconvenience
caused by the proposed barriers.
The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Beahrs, Comstock, Henderson, Pearson, Rosenbaum,
Sher
NOES: Clay, Norton
MOTION: Mayor Comstock introduced the following Resolution and moved,
seconded by Pearson, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 4926 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING RESOLUTION 4291 CHANGING
THE CITYWIDE STOP INTERSECTION SYSTEM AND MAP"
The resolution was adopted on the following vote:
AYE: Beahrs, Clay, Comstock, Henderson, Pearson,
Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Norton
MOTION: Ma
finds that
yor Comstock moved, seconded by Henderson, that Council
this project will have no significant environmental izpact.
AYES: Beahrs, Clay, Comstock, Henderson, Pearson,
Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Norton
Ordinance re Chan in Zonin of
MOTION: Mayor Comstock introduced the following ordinance and moved,
seconded by Pearson, its adoption:
ORDINANCE NO. 2777 ENTITLED "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING SECTION 18.08.040 OF THE
PALO ALTO MUN/CIPAL CODE CHANGING THE ZONING OF CERTAIN
PROPERTIES IN FIRE ZONE I AND CHANGING THE FIRE ZONE (1st
reading March 11, 1974)
AMENDMENT: Councilman Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Henderson, the
following revised wording for Section 4 of the Ordinance:
"Section 4. Any lawful conforming use which enlisted within a structure
upon any parcel whose xoniug classification is changed by this ordinance
may be continued, transferred, or changed, provided that: (a) the
structure containing such use is not demolished, except as a result
of fire, earthquake or similar calamity; (b) the amount of area devoted
3 2 6
:x/25/74
to such use is not increased; (c) the occupancy classification under
the building code becomes no higher."
Councilman Beahrs asked why the term "act of God" could not be used
instead of the words "similar calamity". He felt that "similar calamity"
might be subject to legal interpretation. Mr. Booth replied those
words could be used if desired. Councilman Rosenbaum said he was
satisfied to leave the wording as suggested by Mr. Booth.
The amendment passed on a unanimous vote.
Councilman Beahrs expressed concern regarding some of the letters
of complaint that had been received, and said there are certain inequities
wrought by the ordinance.' He asked staff if a transitional zone would
have a reducing effect on some of the inequities.
Mr. Knox replied that three letters had been received in the past
week, two of which would be accommodated by a transitional zone such
as the Planning Commission had under consideration. The third letter
was from Arcon Hearing, and their property was being accommodated
in Section 4 of the Ordinance. Councilman Beahrs asked if there were
a transitional zone what the effect would be on all the shaded areas
which are subject to the rezoning. Mr. Knox replied that if such
a zone were created and thereby put into the Code, a separate series
of actions for adoption would be needed for any particular parcel.
The Planning Commission had made it very clear about applying this zone
and might not apply it to any or all of the Fire Zone I fringe areas
that are being rezo►'ied. However, if they did apply it to the areas
that are shown in gray on the exhibit the effect would be that those
properties being rezoned tonight are being rezoned to residential
R-2 or R-4, which allow a certain number of units per acre. If the
T -suffix zone is adopted and applied to these properties, any owner
of any parcel could build commercial on his property to the extent
of 50% of the total floor area. Further the commercial could only
be built on a property that has residential on tt, so if the property
is vacant the owner would have to build a structure that provides
for both commercial and residential on a 50-50 basis.
Councilman Beahrs asked if Mr. Knox were saying that each individual
parcel would be subject to an application of this transitional zoning,
or would staff be able to apply it to an entire area.
Mr. Knox replied that it could be applied to all of these areas or
it might be applied to none. There is no guarantee that once the
zone is created that the Planning Co isaion is going to recommend
to Council that they rezone particular parcels. Councilman Beahrs
asked what right a property owner had to petition for a rezoning on
his parcel of proper 4y. Mr. Knox responded that once the zoning is
on the books, the owner has the right to petition rezoning for his
property. Councilman Beahrs asked if it would& t be possible then
to have hundreds of hearings on the application of this transitional
zoning. Hr. Knox replied that theoretically that is correct, but
the likelihood was that this would not happen. He added that the
Planning Commission was actively engaged in this area at present and
would take some initiative to begin rezoning procedures before individual
property owners were required to do so. Councilman Beahrs said someone
observed to him that there were inequities particularly in respect
to land costs utilized in R-2 as compared to R-4. Apparently it is
practically impossible with this new zoning to come up with au economical -
3 2 7
3/25/74
See p, 367
ly viable development on an R2 basis compared to the R4. Mr. Knox
said this would depend upon what was built. Information that is being
gathered shows that in the downtown area there has been a willingness
to pay $4,000 to $5,000 per unit in terms of land cost for rentals,
but the going rate for condominiums was up to $7,000 to $7,500 per
unit. He felt that if R2 densities developed enough condominiums
and apartments both would be viable ventures..
Mayor Comstock noted that a letter dated March 24 had been received
from Mr. Jerry R. Harrison asking that his property at 28 Ramona retain
the zoning it has, and also a letter from Mr. A. N. Johnson dated
March lis, relating to property at 411 Lytton and 385 Waverley. Also,
a letter dated March 20 had been received from Evelyn and Robert Burkhalder
relating to the Arcon property. Mayor Comstock invited members of
the audience to address Council.
Mr. John B. Boyd, 454 Forest Avenue, referred to his property and
expressed concern about its nonconformity. ?r. Knox responded that 454
Forest was not listed in the staff teport because it is not considered
nonconforming. Mr, Boyd said he believed the use was permitted, but
that he was supposed to have a 60 foot front and did not have that
much. Mr. Knox replied that staff was concerned only with the nonconforming
use aspect. Mr. Boyd wanted to know if he would be able to rebuild
the property as it now is if it were destroyed by fire, for instance.
Mayor Comstock responded that there may be a question of his needing
another ten feet at the front, but otherwise the same type of building
could be rebuilt and the same use be continued.
Air. Knox agreed this was probably correct. He said if it were a pre-
existing substandard lot, there were ways to take that into account.
Councilman Rosenbaur,'s motion addressed itself to buildings such as
the Automobile Association, and Mr. Boyd said his situation was exactly
the same as that, Mir. Knox explained that his situation was not the
same since he had professional offices, and the R-4 zone allows that
but does not allow a retail type of office function such as the AAA
which sells services, etc. Mr. Boyd requested that his zoning be kept
the same as it -had been,
Mt. h. P._}oerdyke, attorney, represented owners of two parcels of
property on Forest, one at the corner of Waverley and Forest, and one
which the zoning map shows a€ 466 Forest Avenue, but is in fact 706
Cowper. Mr', Hoe,rdyke said both of these properties had been zoned
commercial :for twenty years, and he had filed with the Planning Commission
a detai_! d appraisal by the Public Utilities Commission indicating
th_t the value of the properties would be reduced approximately 502
if they are rezoned to R2 or R4. He stated that monetary loss on the
property on the corner of Waverley and Forest would be approximately
$100,000, end he pointed out Council's moral responsibilities in situations
such as this. It was his opinion that the proposed rezoning was a
cynical circumvention of the referendum that was presented to the Council.
Mr. Daniel S. Schwartz, 401 Webster Street, referred to the rezoning
of his property located at 446 Forest Avenue, which is the only residential
structure in the 2A area. He indicated that particular spots had been
looked at and excluded by the Council, and he suggested that his property
also be excluded.
Mr. Frank Manfredi, 219 Addison Avenue, said he did not feel that Council
should let the people who circulated the referendum intimidate them.
He indicated it was time for Council to represent the poor people and
not the moneyed interests.
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3/25/74
Councilman Clay commented that on the R2 versus R4 zoning, it appeared
that type of zoning was counter -productive to one of the objectives
of rezoning the Fire Zone I area, which was to increase the number
of housing units. Secondarily, more of these units were to become
available for low/moderate income people. It seemed to him that if
an area went from R4 to R2, the effect would be to increase the land
coat per unit by almost 100%. Vice Mayor Pearson's amendment that
certain parcels be rezoned from H -1 -S to R-2 raised some aueLttons
in his mind, and he wanted to hear the reasoning behind that type of
zoning.
Vice Mayor Pearson replied she was following the recommendation of
Planning Commission which held public hearings, and also the recommendations
of staff which developed volumes of information. She explaine0 the R-2
area, would be a buffer zone between the R-4 and the M -1--S on the other.
side. This is an interim zone which contains a number of small houses
and vacant lots.
Councilman Clay stated to double the cost of the land would defeat
one of the objectives which was to get some housing for low/moderate
income people.
Councilman Sher pointed out that most of these points were discussed
at ieogth two weeks ago at first reading, and contrary to what Mr.
Moerdyke said, there was considerable discussion about the reason
for the rezoning. He said there was discussion, about R2 and R4, and
the main reason for the designation relates to the area on which a
property would border. It was his feeling that this matter had been
thoroughly covered two weeks ago, and nothing different hid been suggested
at this meeting.
The motion as amended passed on the following vote:
AYES: Comstock, Henderson, Pearson, Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Beahrs, Clay, Norton
Ordinance re Re uirin Conformance
os upon e o ' ace o ns
MOTION: Mayor Comstock introduced the following ordinance and moved,
seconded by Vice Mayor Pearson, its adoption:
ORDINANCE NO. 2778 ENTITLED "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING SECTION 16.20, 280 OF THE
PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL CODE TO REQUIRE CONFORMANCE OF SIGNS
UPON CHANGE OF FACE OF SUCH SIGNS (1st reading March 11,
1974)
The ordinance was adopted on the following vote:
AYES: Beahrs, Comstock, Henderson, Norton, Rosenbaum,
Sher, Pearson
NOES: Clay
(Councilman Norton left at 9:40 p.m, and did not return).
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3/25/74
t.nnual Street Resurfacin Pro ram:
port o B s CMR:21 :w
MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Pearson, -that the Mayor
be authorized to execute a contract with Freeman-Sondgroth in the amount
of $35,970.50 for asphalt concrete resurfacing, and that Council find
that this project has no significant environmental impact.
Councilman Henderson expressed concern about taking care of only five
out of twelve items and wondered what that would do to the schedule
for doing this type of work.
Mr, Pawloski, Director of Public Works, replied that the cutback in
the volume of the work is a reflection on the devaluation of the dollar.
Councilman Henderson said he assumed then there would be requests for
substantially higher budget figures in the future. Mr. Pavloski replied
affirmatively.
Mr. Harvey Iiixon, 430 Kipling Street, said that a mouth or two ago
he read in the Palo Alto Times that bids were being asked for the resurfacing
of short streets in downtown Palo Alto, such as Florence and Kipling. He
asked if the bids had been received.
Mr. Pawloski replied that he thought this was part of the street recon-
struction project. Mr. Sipe1 said when the bids were in, they would
be reported.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Child Ca,:e Contract 4 :233:)
Mayor Comstock noted that Council received a report from the City Manager's
Office dated March 21, containing a summary of the status of the program
to date, comments about proposed budget, proposed ordinance required
to approve tht contract and fund the money for it. Also received were
ccAmanicatians from Palo Alto Resources tor Children.
Vice Mayor Pearson said an excellent job was done, and she commended
staff and the Child Care Corporation for a job well done.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson introduced the following ordinance and
moved, seconded by Comstock, its adoption:
ORDINANCE NO. 2779 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR 1973-74 TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THE CHILD CARE
PRO aRAM"
Councilman Henderson asked Zor some guidance from staff as to how the
contract could be divided so the present fiscal year could be completed
under the present budgeted amount for child day care services, and
then have the contract go ou for •1174:-75 ahoiing a new budget amount for
that fiscal year. Otherwise, it would be necessary to put the entire
$279,000 into 1973-74 and amend the current budget. He asked if it
would be possible to pass the contract for the remainder of this year
and put the dollar amount in, and what could be done to extend the
contract for the next year. Could some kind of action be taken on
the contract for next year and then have the dollar amount inserted
on July 1.
3 3 0
3/25/74
Mr. Booth replied that one way to do it would be to approve the contract,
and then when Council has appropriated an additional sum for the next
fiscal year amend the budget contract with one page changing the time
and the amount to be paid for the services.
Councilman Henderson asked if the ccrtract should be approved only
for the three months and then amend it, or could the contract be approved
for fifteen, months putting in the lower amount of money, then add the
money later. Mr. Booth responded that the money would have to be appropriated
to cover the contracted amount.
Councilman Beahrs commended the Task Force on the phenomenal job they
accomplished, and he was particularly impressed with their often expressed
intention to assist the city in procuring an increasing amount of outside
financing. He noted that the city would be a conduit for the mosey
from the county. However, he did not know if the money from the county
is guaranteed. He felt there should be some firm commitment from the
county so that Palo Alto would not be bankers for the county.
Mr. Walker replied that the city would be the conduit for the funds,
and there would be a contract between the city and the county setting
forth the financial arrangement. There are assurances from the county
that they stand good for that portion of the funding that would be
required for the first fifteen months of the operation of the program.
Virginia Debs, 3145 Flowers Lane, said the child care group appreciated
the documentation going over the history of where they had been, and
having the Vice Mayor read the resolutions. She counted that the
group was delighted tc have the county money and trusted that it would
core through. Ma. Debs introduced Leslie Coney, the new president
of PACRAC.
Leslie Conley, 201 Falter Hays Drive, said several members of the audience
had put a tremendous amount of man hours in, and she recognized them
for their efforts. She reported the group had been busy writing their
articles of incorporation, opening their office, and hiring two mobilizers
Ruth Frieze and Marion Killer. The Corporation had been working with
many sponsoring groups and developing sites, some of which are very
nearly finished. They also had worked on getting industry involved,
and they hoped to have some commitment from industries for this year
as well as next. 14e. Conley noted the group is committed to low-cost
quality child care for people who live and/or work in Palo Alto, with a
priority for single working parents. It was their intention to offer
a variety of child care, and they were committed to community involvement,
parent control, economic mix, and racial and ethnic balance in all
of the centers. She introduced Tim Trailer.
Tim Trailer, 936 Waverley, reported there were eight component groups,
each one of which would subcontract with the parent corporation. These
eight groups included the pre-school center, two part-time centers,
day care homes, sick child care component, the infant -toddler center,
and two existing centers. Mr. Trailer gave details of locations, numbers
of children to be cared for, percentages of low/moderate income families
involved, etc.
Tom Cahill, 2701 Waverley Street, commented on the contract document.
He said it represented a good deal of time, effort, cooperation, and
consultation on behalf of both the Corporation and the city staff. He
said it is a service contract which is intended to be both legally
3 3 1
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binding and to set forth the terms and the conditions under which child
services will be performed. It was their intention to commence a busineos
relationship that depends upon trust and confidence. The document
is one which he felt works for both the city and the corporation; for
the city insofar as it sets forth goals and standards by which the
corporation would be measured. They anticipated meeting those goals
and exceeding the standards by which they would be measured. He noted
the contract provided fiscal assurances, a budget was attached, and
there was a mechanism for modifications in the budget. There are provisions
for monthly requests in advance to operate the program, and those requests
would need the approval of the project manager and the City Controller.
Mr. Cahill pointed out the many other provisions of the contract. He
said while the city will be kept advised as to the activities of the
corporation, the members were resolved to solve their own problem.
The contract also has a provision of termination for material breach,
and the opportunity for the corporation to avail itself of staff assistance
from the city.
Councilman Sher referred to page 3 of the contract, paragraph 5, relating
to the eligibility of children who were non-residents of Palo Alto.
He said this was made conditional upon the involvement of major industries,
and he was concerned about the vagueness of the term. Councilman Sher
wanted to know what "active involvement" by industry meant, and asked
if this meant substantial financial contribueio'i to the program rather
than statements of support or even some kind of nominal sponsorship.
Mr. Cahill replied they hoped for substantial contributions. Councilman
Sher asked if the eligibility of non --residents were conditional upon
substantial contributions of at least two major industries. Mr. Cahill
said "substantial involvement" to him meant monetary involvement.
Councilman Sher said that at the appropriate time he may request that
the language be made more explicit in order to avoid future misunderstandings.
Mr. Booth commented that "active involvement" was intended to include
more than just expressions of good will, but was also meant to include
other things than just a mere contribution. There were the possibilities
of assistance in staffing, or making space available, or contributions
of useful equipment.
Councilman Sher said his next comment related to page 6 of the contract,
dealing with the discovery of some problem in the program and what
recourse the city woi1d have under those circumstances. He noted that
the last paragraph provides for a request for corrective action, with
a thirty day time space for the correction. He asked if this related
to a request for termination which also mentions thirty days. Councilman
Sher wanted to know if this were a matter of thirty days on top of
thirty days, or could both notices be sent out at the same time. Mr.
Booth replied that both notices could be sent out at the same time,
but the contemplation was that if the problem would lend itself to
corrective action, that alternative would be tried before something
more drastic such as termination was considered. Councilman Sher felt
there was an overlap, and he was trying to find out if what is really
intended is a sixty day notice. Mr. Booth replied there could be different
periods of time short of sixty days, and there were alternatives for
correcting deficiencies if any did occur.
Councilman Sher referred to page 9, the first clause, which stated
no subcontractor would be recognized as such by the city. He asked
if this meant that no subcontractor would be recognized as a subcontractor
of the city. Mr. Booth replied that this provided that no subcontractor
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would be a subcontractor of the city, or an employee, or agent, in
any request. Councilman Sher noted that the last paragraph on the
same page related to the failure of one of the subcontractors to carry
out a provision of its contract with the Corporation, providing that
if the city should notice such a violation it should notify the Corporation.
He said his was concern repeated problem could occur. A problem could be
brought into compliance and then come up again. He asked what happened
if the same problem keeps occurring and keeps getting temporarily corrected.
Mr. Cahill responded that he did not feel that problem had been addressed
in this part of the contract, and they would be dealing more specifically
with the problem in the subcontracts that would be signed with the
components. Councilman Sher asked if there would )e a termination
clause in the Corporation's contract with each of its subcontractors.
Mr. Cahill responded affirmatively.
Councilman Sher referred to page 11 of the contract as it related to
fixtures. This provides an absolute obligation on the part of the
city to compensate the Corporation for th reasonable value of any
fixtures that would be removed at the tint of the termination of the
agreement. He said this bothered him because the fixtures might not
have any value to the city, and he would like to see some modification
of that language. Mr. Booth replied that in the first place an attempt
would be made to make most of the items moveable so that they wou1L.
not be termed fixtures. Secondly, items of no value under the contract
provision would have no reasonable value either, so the city would
riot have to pay for them. If there were any problems, the city would
have the power to dispose of itecs through its normal disposal process
or by some outer means.
Councilman Clay said he had a question regarding the eligibility statement
in the contract relating to non-residents and involvement of major
industries. He understood that PACRAC wanted industry to contribute
to the program as they share the facilities, but to this point there
was no formula for taxation worked out. He explained that if the contri-
bution were money, there was no formula for taxing are organization
on the basis of number of employees or that sort of thing. Further,
the basis of two or more major industries appeared to hint to be an
inequitable arrangement, especially if the two major industries that
contributed were not the ones that used the program or if those that
did not contribute did use the program. He wondered if it would be
well to leave nut Section A and let Section B suffice by stating that
the guidelines for eligibility would be determined by the Corporation.
Mr. Cahill replied that it was his understanding there was an original
Council directive that they Somehow protect the residents as opposed
to the non --residents, so that people would not feel. the City of Palo
Alto was supporting a program that was catering to a large number of
people who were non-residents of the city. He felt it would be alright
to leave out A if Council so desired. Councilman Clay suggested that
after the words "active involvement" the words "of two or more" be
deleted.
Mr. Booth replied that he did not think taking out those words would
change the intent of that section. The non-residents who would apply
for the program would not have to have their particular industry involved
ie order to qualify.
Councilman Clay responded that he would like to see more overlap of
contributors and users.
See p.
367
3 3 3
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See p. 367
Vice Mayor Pearson expressed some concern about taking out Paragraph
A because there are people who work in Palo Alto who do need child
care services, and one of the goals set up was that industry and commercial
businesses in Palo Alto would become involved in the child care program
and contribute money or services, and that it would be substantial
in both instances. She added that they had gone out of their way all
along to have industry involved by having Bob Kemp represent industry.
It was her feeling that if they were a group of noe-residents working
in a particular industry, they would be a lever in getting that particular
industry to participate.
Councilman Henderson voiced concern about how this program appears
on the financial budgets and reports. The bulk of the money will be
spent next year, and it should be refleceed in next year's budget, rather
than amending this year's budget which has three months to go.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Councilman Henderson moved, seconded by Rosenbaum,
that the Council authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement with
the Palo Alto Community Resources for Children with the following modifica-
tions: In Section VII, delete the words "one year from date of its
full execution" and substitute "from the date of its full execution
through June 30, 1974", and in Section VIII -B, delete the figure $224,883.00
and inserting the figure $60,001.
ayor Comstock said he would vote against the term as Councilman Henderson
proposed it.
AMENDMENT: Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Pearson, that Page 3,
Paragraph 5-a of the agreement have the following sentence added: "'Active
involvement' as used herein means a substantial contribution in money
or inkind property or services."
Councilman Clay felt this amendment compounded the problem he referred
to earlier about taxing corporations which may or may not be participants
in the program, by stating they would be taxed, in effect, substantially,
which he felt was very much out of order.
Councilman Sher stated he did not see this as taxing since the contributions
would be made voluntarily by major industries. He said he looked forward
to the day when there would be mazy industries contributing and the
city's share would steadily decline.
Councilman Beahrs asked if a certain corporation found it bed twenty
children using the child care program and they wished to contribute 1002
of the cost, and assume that 502 of the children were Palo Alto residents
and 502 were not, would this subsidy serve as a reduction of the city's
contribution to the program. He did not see that there was any mechanism
in the agreement to provide for this offset.
Mr. Walker replied there is that potential, but there is also the potential
of expanding the program beyond what exists and what the city is providing.
Councilman Beahrs felt that one of the problems of government was that
it established something that would continually expand because it is
good.
Ma. Debs explained the Corporation would be going to industry to get
in on their fiscal year, and they were alerted to the fiscal budgeting
process for the five industries that have given indications of support
for the program. She said just as they were asking for immediate support,
they were also asking that support over the long term be built into
their fiscal budgeting process.
3 3 4
3/25/74
Councilman Beahrs asked Ms. Debs if she felt the budgetary process
itself would accommodate the problem he was concerned about, and if
in her opinion no special agreement was needed.
Ms. Debs responded affirmatively. She added that the eligibility section
was the section that came to them from Council, and that it had been
pointed out the wording was difficult, but it was Council's wording.
She would be in agreement if Council wanted to skip Section A.
Councilman Rosenbaum aeked if no major industry participated, would
the program be open only to residents of Palo Alto. Mayer Comstock
replied affirmatively. Councilman Rosenbaum asked if the revenue sharing
people would not object to that sort of an arrangement. Ms. Debs replied
negatively.
Councilman Clay indicated he would be able to support the amendment
if he could make an amendment to it. He did not like the specificity
of the words "two cr more".
The amendment passed on the following vote:
AYES: Beahrs, Henderson, Pearson, Roseubaut, Seer
NOES: Clay, Comstock
AMENDMENT: Councilman Clay moved, seconded by Beahrs, that in Section
5-a the words "two or more" be deleted.
The amendment failed on the following vote:
AYES: Beahrs, Clay, Comstock
iOES: Henderson, Pearson, Rosenbaum, Sher
AMENDMENT; Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Rosenbaum, that paragraph
23-d on page 11 of the agreement be deleted in its entirety.
The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Beahrs, Henderson, Clay, Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Comstock, Pearson
Councilman Henderson referred to his substitute motion and said it
was one thing to approve Capital Improvement Projects and to carry
over unexpended balances, but it was another to confuse the operating
budget. He indicated this was happening more and more as the city
got- into social programs. He commented there should be a way around
the problem, but with the child care program there was an opportunity
to rectify the problem and not, in a sense, be showing deceptive figures.
Me bulk of the money would be spent next year and he felt it should
be shown that way.
Vice Mayor Pearson agreed with Councilman Henderson's accounting, but said
She did not want to experiment with the child care program. She felt
that one of the chores of the Finance Committee should be to determine
a way to be honest with the public, but she wanted to vote for what
was in hand, and that was the money for a fifteen month program.
Mayor Comstock said he would oppose Councilman Henderaon'a motion.
He felt the stated financial principles were right, but the conclusion
3 3 5
3/25/74
was wrong. We're asking the child care contract funding program to
take the burden of what is essentially a bookkeeping problem and by
doing this the bookkeeping problem would not be solved. He did not
think it would be any secret about how much the program would cost
over the fifteen month period. Mayor Comstock added he did not want
all of the child care people to have to come back again in three months
when they should be out working, and the Council itself could be dealing
with other things.
Councilman Beahra stated that Councilman Henderson was absolutely correct
when you take into consideration the problems of governmental accounting.
It was his feeling that you had to handle things in a somewhat formal,
inflexible basis when you are dealing with governmental accounting;
and there was no way to avoid it.
The substitute motion failed on the following vote:
AYES: Beahrs, Henderson, Rosenbaum
NOES: Clay, Comstock, Pearson, Sher
Councilman Beahrs asked the City Controller to explain how he would
handle funding if the original motion passed. Mr. Mitchell replied
that near the end of the fiscal year he would present the Council with
an ordinance authorizing the closing of the fiscal year budget. Contained
in that ordinance is the authority for the City Controller to carry
forward and create reserves in the various funds to deal with the outstanding
contracts and purchase orders that exist on June 30.
The ordinance amending the 1973-74 budget was adopted on a unanimous
vote.
MOTION. :layer Comstock moved, seconded by Pearson, that Council authorize
the Mayor to execute the contract to run through the end of the next
fiscal year (fifteen months) and include funding in the amount of $279,960,
change the budget summary on Exhibit B to show it to be fifteen mont'is
with the totals adjusted accordingly, and this motion will include
the two amendments which were passed having to do with coetributions
and fixtures.
Councilman Sher observed that the county was putting in more money
than was originally anticipated, so that the program had grown before
it had even gone into operation. He wanted to be sure that it was
recognized that a number of the Councilmen did not view this as an
expanding program, but from the city point of view, a contracting program.
In fifteen months there would be much interest in progress made in
getting contributions from industry.
Vice Mayor Pearson noted that the child care people from the very beginning
agreed that they wanted to be an independent group, and the city's
financial support was a mere start-up fund.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Pearson, that Council make
a negative declaration regarding the environmental impact of the child
care program.
ihe motion passed on a unanimous vote.
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qualifications for Purchasers and Renters
Of;ion-Federal]. Subs ze Housing (CMF.: 228:4)
MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Pearson, that
the report from the staff on the Qualifications for Purchasers and Renters
of Non-Federal_ly'Subsidized Housing be referred to the Policy and Procedures
Committee for recommendations to Council.
The referral motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Recuest of Councilman Henderson for Staff
Mayor Comstock noted that besides Councilman Henderson`s letter, there
had been a number of pho,te calla and letters from citizens with regard
to the condition of the golf course.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Beahrs, that Councilman
Clay's new business item concerning the Municipal Golf Course be considered
with Councilman Hienderson's item on the same subject.
The motion to consider item 13 and 15 simultaneoulsy passed on a unanimous
vote.
Councilman Henderson s.id he would like Councilman Clay to clarify
what he intended under his motion before proceeding with his own remarks.
Cour.cilran Clay said he did not feel the two items were too different
in subject matter. Recalling the Finance and Public Works meeting
of February 13, he noted there was some discussion of the Committee's
deliberation on the golf course. He agreed with that but wanted to
make note of so±e of his own observations. Beginning several months
ago, he tegan talking with some of the users of the golf course
regarding administration of the facilities, and also disctssed possible
expansion of the golf course facility. That discussion eventually
evolved into the possibility of developing a new facility to replace
facilities already there, and possibly adding locker rooms. Councilman
Clay said the tennis court facility idea came in later, and he was
not familiar with that and so would not address himself to it. He
recalled the time when the golf course was started and the present
facilities implemented with city -invested dollars and land, and citizens
subscribed to charter memberships, and Mr. Eichler donated toward the
buildings prevently there. In his opinion the facility had been extremely
successful, and had been profitable for a number of years. There are
a large number of users of the course including many organized groups
of golfers, and there are several major tournaments held each year.
Councilman Clay observed that other facilities in Palo Alto that the
city has supported, purchased, or invested in, are first --class operations.
He felt the Golf Course, which is a revenue generating activity, is not
consistent with the character of operation of Palo Alto facilities
generally, and he added that it did not rate very high among the lists
of golf courses in other areas. He hoped that Council would state
some policy at this meeting. Further, he hoped that the policy would
be one of support, such support not being looked at as a subaldy, but
as a reinvestment of revenue that had been generated from that facility
over the years.
Councilman Henderson said he agreed with the comments made by Councilman
Clay. He felt it was obvious there was a need to take a look at the golf
course conditions, club house, pro shop, and the restaurant.
3 3 7
3/25/74
MOTION: Councilman Henderson moved, seconded by Pearson, that Council
direct staff to prepare a report on the status of the Municipal Golf
Course --course condition; pro shop; restaurant --and make recommendations
for improvements if needed, such recommendations to come back to Council
for referral to Committee if necessary.
Laddie Hughes, 1690 Edgewood Drive, stated the administration of the
golf course was so diffused that no one seemed to really be in charge.
Mrs. Hughes referred to her Golf Course Facility Survey, and pointed
out thatnot one of the fifty-seven responses indicated the facilities were
very acceptable. Mrs. Hughes stated that out-of-town guests were taken
to see the city building, the fire departments, and the libraries,
but never the golf course. She urged Council to bring the Palo Alto
Golf Course/Club House complex up to Palo Alto standards.
Mrs. Mice Sharp, 1421 lesso Street, said she was the only remaining
charter member still active in the Palo Alto Club. She pointed out
that the various clubs and groups who are she major source of income
have no place for meetings and privacy, and they needed a Club House.
Mrs. Robert W. Peterson, 2671 Cowper, said the Golf Course was revenue
generating. She felt the need for a thorough upgrading of the facility
and recommended that a piecemeal job not be done.
Donna .fosse, 974 Elsinore Court, spoke in support of upgrading the Golf
Course facilities.
Mr, Ray Witt. 769 Allen Court, President of the Men's Club at the Course,
gave statistics on the number of people playing golf in the country
and how much money they spent doing it. He reported that four people
teed off every seven minutes at the golf course, eight hours a day.
Mr. Witt said there were two things wrong: one - the course badly needed
upgrading, and two - the administrative management was not good. The
course ie maintained by the Public Works Department, run by the Recreational
Department, and somewhere in the middle of those two authorities was
a Golf Pro who had limited authority and responsibility. He felt the
coffee shop was shabby and de repit, and the person who ran it did
not appreciate good food and did not know how to serve it. It was
his opinion that the condition of the golf course facilities and the
coffee whop made it impossible to invite guests there. He asked Council
to make a decision to upgrade all of the facilities at the course,
since this was an opportunity to generate further revenue and increase
the quality of community service.
Councilman Rosenbaum spoke for the Tennis Club, whose members, had
contacted him and said due to the wind problem, they would not press
for tennis facilities in that area.
Councilman beahrs stated it was a real shame that a self amortizing
activity such as the golf course did not get a little preferred attention,
and he felt the criticisms should be taken seriously.
Vice Mayor Pearson noted that Council policy decisions were not usually
made on New Business Items, and that a referral motion was normally
in order. She supported that. She wished to wake it clear that she
was absolutely opposed to a tennis complex as envisioned by the tennis
See p. 367 people.
338
3/25/74
Councilman Clay expressed concern over wha: Council would expect to
have happen, and over what period of time, if this matter were referred
back to staff for a report that would then come back to Council. He
wished some definitive action to be taken as soon as possible.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Councilman Clay moved, seconded by Beahrs, the
:natter of the golf course be referred to the Finance and Public Works
Committee to study the feasibility of improvements at the golf course
facility, including the possibility of development of a new physical
plant housing pro shop, locker rooms, meeting rooms, and restaurant
facilities; that Council appoint an advisory committee made up of users
of the facilites; and that the makeup of such an advisory committee
be members of the women's groups, the Men's Golf Club, the Senior's
Group, the Junior's, and a member of the Golf Professional Staff.
Councilman Beahrs recognized merit in Councilman Clay's suggestions,
but he disagreed that this should go to the committee. He felt it
would be well to have this incorporated into Councilman Henderson's
motion, and that a time limit be put on the staff report -perhaps sixty
days.
Councilman Clay agreed that the time limit of sixty days be added to
his substitute motion,
Mr. Siptl stated that he did not believe Council needed to appoint
an advisory committee. He felt staff could seek out a cross-section
of club users. Pe asked that staff be given the assignment and Council
be assured that they would work with those people who were interested
in this project. He further commented that if a sixty day time limit
were put on the study, Council should know what other projects would
be stopped or slowed down temporarily as a result of that kind of action.
Mr. Sipel said these presently was an appropriation of $200,0O0 for
the golf course, and the intention would be to utilize that for some
part of the upgrading and that could be done within the next year.
On the other hand, if the city planned to build a new physical plant,
then $200,000 would not do the job. It was his opinion that some of
the problems mentioned could be solved fairly easily, and others would
be more difficult. Those questions relating to the contractor for
the coffee shop would not be the easiest to resolve. The question
of reorganization was one that staff had been thinking about for a
couple of months, and that could be resolved in the near future. He men-
tioned that the Pro's contract was presently up for review. Mr. Sipel
pointed out that some of the concerns expressed by the public at this
meeting were being expressed publicly for the first time.. The coffee
shop complaints would be dealt with quickly within the scope of the
existing contract. He stated that money paid out initially for the
golf course had been paid back, and approximately $750,000 per year
over the last eight or ten years had been accumulating. Presently
there was about a $75,000 net profit, and this should be plowed back
into the course.
(. uncilman Sher indicated his support for the improvements needed at
the golf course, but with regard to the substitute motion, he did feel
that appointing an advisory committee would likely slow down the desired
action. He favored having staff invite people who are knowledgeable
about the course to participate.
Vice Mayor Pearson said she could not support the motion because she
did not feel the matter should be referred to the Finance and Public
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3/25/74
Works Committee. She further felt that putting a time limit on the
staff report might be unrealistic, and she would support the original
motion by Councilman Henderson.
Councilman Henderson stated that the staff should be directed to make
the report, and the matter should not be referred to the Finance and
Public Works Committee; therefore he opposed the substitute motion.
Councilman Clay pointed out that this matter had already been referred
to the Finance and Public Works Committee some time ago, He also said
the $200,000 that had been talked about for the Golf Course was for
the purpose of putting in a couple of lakes, and those funds should not
be'diverted to this particular project. In his opinion, an advisory
committee would assist staff in getting something back to Council in
the shortest period of time. If the matter were referred to staff,
cane back to Council, and then was referred to the Finance and Public
Works Committee, the effect would be to defer the whole matter indefinitely.
The substitute motion failed on the following vote:
AYES: Beahrs, Clay
NOES: Comstock, Henderson, Pearson, Rosenbaum, Sher
The rain motion as presented by Councilman Henderson passed on a unanimous
vote.
Re nest of Councilman Henderson re
`yc p s at on pot 111 Rxp=laZ.
Councilman Henderson saia that, as he commented in the memorandum he
sent to Council members, bicycle lanes had been installed by the County
on Junipero Serra Boulevard from Page Mill Relied to Willow Road, and
this brought up the question again of extending bicycle lanes on to
Foothill Expressway. He pointed out that there is no state law prohibiting
bicycles on expresawaya, and the ban on the Foothill Expressway appeared
to be a result of County action. He would like staff to look into
the reasons for the ban, and how Palo Alto might join with other cities
to influence the County to change the ruling.
MOTION: Councilman Henderson moved, seconded by Pearson, that Council
direct staff to investigate means of installing bicycle paths on the
Palo Alto portion of Foothill Expressway.
Councilman Beahrs asked izow the city could make any addition or modifications
on a County expressway.
Councilman Henderson said steps could be taken to find out if a change
could be made.
Councilman Clay said he could not support this motion since enough
items had been referred to staff already, and they apparently did
not have the time to take on anything else.
?sir. Sipel commented that this problem was brought to staff's attention
a month or so ago, and they had made a couple of preliminary inquiries
regarding it. He expected that staff might be able to get something
accomplished in the next three or four months.
3 4 0
3/25/74
The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Beahrs, Henderson, Pearson, Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Clay
ABSENT: Comstock left at 12:10 a.m.
(Mayor Comstock left at 12:10 a.m. and did not return. Vice Mayor Pearson
chaired the remainder of the meeting.)
Councilman Rosenbaum re Dunlap Bill
2813) re Speed Limits
Councilman Rosenbaum said AB 2813 would authorize any local authority,
without conducting an engineering and traffic survey, to by ordinance
declare a speed limit lower than the speed limit otherwise provided
by the vehicle code on any highway other than a state highway. It
seemed to him this was the sort of legislation Council had been looking
for, and he had asked Mr. Booth to look into it.
Mr. Booth responded that AB 2813 is pending. Basically it would allow
speed limits to be lowered don's to twenty-five miles per hour but not
lower. He said it was set for hearing on March 26 in the Assembly
Committee on Transportation.
MOTION: Councilman Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Pearson, that staff
be directed to contact the Assembly Transportation Corm ittee and express
Palo Alto's strong support for AB 2813.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Vice Mayor Pearson re Expansion
of San Jose Airport
Vice Mayor Pearson said she felt staff should start looking at what effect
the proposed San Jose Airport expansion would have on Palo Alto. She
said their plan was to use the old site at the end of Alviso which
had caused so much furor. The proposed facility would be three or
four times as large as the present San Jose Airport. She felt the
impact on Palo Alto as a result of takeoffs and landings would be fantastic,
and that staff should provide Council with a report.
Mr. Sipel replied that this was the kind of
in and takes over half the staff's time for
that he take a preliminary look and develop
time it might take to really do a full job,
Council so the members could decide how far
assignment that creeps
a period of time. He suggested
an assessment of how much
and then report back to
staff should go.
Vice Mayor Pearson agieed this would be the beat way to proceed.
Oral Communications
Mr. Frank Manfredi, 219 Addison Avenue, spoke to Council re:
1) low temperature to Council Chambers
2) subsidising sports
3) possibility of city taking over AIL Clinic
4) taxation, suggesting education system be taken over by
National Government.
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Ad ournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:22 a.m.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
342
3/25/74
APPROVE:
Mayor
1