Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05011972_MINUTES '_1 __ t_ 1 �,..r_ y %A_ - M palO aito Mg: _. The City Council of the City -n4 Palo ltc meeting with Mayor Comstock presiding. Aar* � tt Present: Beahrs, B'eriald, Clark, Comstock, Henderson, Norton, Pearson, Rosenbaum, Seman Absent: None ?Minutes of Apri 1 i i, 1972 There was a short discussion regarding the length of the Council Minutes and, at Councilman Henderson's suggestion, it was agreed to send comments on the Minutes, in writing, to the City Clerk. Councilman Pearson asked that a correction be made on Page 29 of the April 17 Minutes where the 'Webster Street" property is referred to throughout the discussion as the "Webster House" property. She asked that this be corrected to refer to the "Webster Street" property. On Page 32, Councilman Pearson asked that the second paragraph be deleted entirely. On Pagt' 41, final paragraph, commencing "Councilman Berwald reminded Council...", Councilman Pearson said she would like inserted after, "Councilman Berwald", "said he would vote for this proposal and...". MOTION: Councilman Seman moved, seconded by Pearson, that the Minutes of April 17 be approved as corrected. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. Letter from Carlstead Children Mayor Comstock noted that he had receiv'd a note from the Caristead chil- dren, Bill, Martha and Carol, thanking the City Council for their support in trying to control dangerous substances distributed through the mail. Rest nation of Mrs. Eileen Hanco ,aairman oft a human Relations Commission Mayor Comstock read aloud a letter dated May 1 from Mrs. J. E. Moffatt llaacock, ChaS,rman of the Human Relations Commission, subwitting her resig- nation, efiei;z'ive immediately. MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Norton, that the resignation of Mrs. J. E. Moffatt Hancock from the Human Relations Commission be ac- cepted. The motion passed on a majority voice vote, with Councilmen Pearson and Seman voting "no". 5 9 5/1/72 Yacht Harbor Dredging and ' efated litters Mayor .CosnatoeK -asked Cou^ci ]man Pearson, Chairman of the cedurea C;1m tta y_ ..vii[::1iwaii....reattiUlt Le -- � tne...Minutes of the Policy and Procedures { AnT:1 _eided--the-Faber Tract part of the Baylands and the City's designation .- .__-.- r-__- _.t... a place for spo{ 1 t „e the Yacht Harbor. The Policy and Procedures Committee had defined Lie --- following recommendations for Council action. Councilman Pearson then acknowledged receipt of a memo from City Manager Sipel (C 8:260:2) requesting that itet. f) of the Committee's recommen- dations be Made g) and there be inserted a new item f) as follows: "f) That the staff be directed ti; discuss recommendations c), d) and e) with the County staff and report back to the City Council with an implementation plan prior to conveyance of the recommendations by the County Board of Supervisors." She said she agreed thf.t this was appropriate and would include the request in her motion. MOTION: Councilman Pearson moved, on behalf of the Policy and Procedures Committee, the following: a) That it be the City's policy not to use the Faber Tract for deposition of spoils; b) That it be the policy of the City that the Yacht Harbor be kept open in a safe and usable condition under all tidal conditions over the period of the lease; c) That the following areas, in order of the priority as listed, be considered for deposition of the spoils: (1) Mountain View Shoreline Park, consistent with Mountain View's plans for its development; (2) Palo Alto Refuse area; (3) And for longer range -- (aa) Leslie Salt Ponds 1 and 2; (bb) Consideration of barging spoils to a site near the San Mateo Bridge; and (cc) The port identified as the 9 acre parcel on the map be considered for deposition of spoils for maintenance dredgir..a only; that such spoils be deposited only to bring the area up to final grade and for temporary storage with ultimate movement to the second airport runway and such deposits not to delay development of this area consistent with- the Matter Plan. d) Concur-ently that -the Council request the County to conduct a study .to be presented to Council within one year's time, to explore `b 0 5/1/72 See Page 84 d) !_ -jr,nucd) alternate methods of maintaining the Yacht Harbor and deep water channel, at least a portion of it, to enable to_ ends--=_-:;ui and - 2-terr.a5ts- .c- ing _ Y __ -1 ud iti - _ ,.7 ny_ -. er i on ... ..v .+�. iatb, n1r7V tll {. 111(1 Illy ra1C $[jjuji %.. j;sY� al. made at the Pro Yro e lur-s 4Y i::l L ek-s tIng of 4/18/72 A ilV ;:ggescions by -usitc,e Sfrumquist in his report dated 2/1/72; Tl_l t lease line for the Yacht harbor'to exclude the lagoon from the _,.T.,...., r t . And f) That the staff be directed to discuss recommendations c.), d) and e) with the County staff and report back to the City Council with an implementation plan prior to conveyance of the recommendations by the County Board of Supervisors. g) That the Mayor be instructed to convey these recommendations to the County. Mayor Comstock acknowledged receipt of a communication dated April 15 from the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto and a letter dated April 18, 1972 from the American Association of University Women, Palo Alto Branch, Mrs. Barbara Silberling, 1421 Emerson, Chairman of the Baylands Study, League of .omen Voters of Palo Alto, presented and submitted a state- ment in concurtnce with the recommendation of the Policy and Procedures Committee that the Faber Tract should not be used as a deposit site for spoils from dredging the Yacht Harbor, and suggesting new ways of uti- lizing the marshlands. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. Policy and Procedures Committee Consideration of Question -of ?rescinding an Ordinance The Policy and Procedures Committee recommended to Council that be taken on the question of rescinding an ordinance. no action Use of Postal Service for Mailing of Samples .11 -- MOTION: Miiyor Comstock introduced the following resolution and moved, seconded by Berwald, its adoption: Resolution No. 4589 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Indicating its Support of HR 3499 Concerning the Use of the Postal Service for Mailing of Samples" The resolution was adopted on a unanimous voice --vote. pPointment of Plannin Director (CMR:255:2) Mayor Comstock asked City Manager Sipel to report. b1 5/1/72 City Manager Sipel referred -to hie report of April 27, announcing that he- eleee rn wu.7:i ; -Mr; N'YLre14 u - [troy ee Planr_ti^,c i ro e a _Junta ?-Rn ION: Councilman Berwald mcved, seconded by Beahrs, that Council approve the appointment of Hr. Naphtali H. Knox: an Planning Director, effective June 15, 1972. _The motinn pegged ee a *Ivn mne2c ....�••+, .':7�.^ See Page 84 Olive -West Meadow Neighborhood • - . -. w F "-� z = ems±.-_ z l.u2i Mayor Comstock asked staff to report. Acting. Assistant City Manager r ewer eeerev e d r cti44aaah ..��.....,�u..� ..i Lv a...'!_._o-- Cha_1e.--_. _ Zrl�..e�. the plan and the staff report dated Aprii c7, i9i2-:-- riC geld the ti recommendations were: 1) that the present system Of barricade =codified to some degree, but the system of barricades be left on Pare. Boulevard and Fernando, and retained at Park Boulevard Meed ee the zest to be removed; and 2) that the matter be refe to the Policy and Procedures Committee. istory of theLef _ a s be in effect and rred back Councilman Pearson favored the Policy and Procedures Committee reviewing this subject and that no changes be made in the system and the barriers remain intact uetil the Committee has an opportunity to consider the .ratter on May 16th. Councilman Clark asked what response had been received from the State on traffic signal codifications and what the timetable for these modifi- cations will be. Mr. Ted T. Noguchi, City Traffic Engineer, replied that the State is waiting for a traffic count on Hansen Way and will then act on the City of Palo Alto's request, and as soon as funding is provided the State will expedite their action. Council members' opinions were divided on whether the matter should be referred to the Policy and Procedures Committee tonight with the barrier systeri remaini::g as :is, or whether there should be a thirty day trial of the lodified syste suggested by staff before Combli.ttee consideration. Councilman Beah'es said public safety was the number one consideration and that fe:t':her study was indicated. Councilman Berwald said that a trial of the proposed modification wonld give the'residents and Council an opportunity to evaluate two systems. Councilman Clark thought that it made senseto -have a month's trial of the modifications. Councilman Rosenbaum recommended referring to Committee before implementing changes and said that the changes proposed were not going to be that significant in alleviating the problems the residents are concerned about. Council- man Henderson said he would be willing to give it a trial for a short period, but expressed concern that with the barricades removed the prime residential Olive -West Meadow neighborhood is again open for through traffic. Councilman Seman asked Councilman Pearson why she wished to have this natter referred to the Policy and Procedures Committee. Councilman Pearson said that Plan "A", as presented, does not appeal to her and she would like to sea details worked out in Committee. 6 2 5/1/72 en .,71-o-ek-r-h ted that he received 23 cords from residents who wished to speak this evening. He apologi'ed that it would-be necegsar; fore these i --- - t. •:.•ms's-ii.3.- -i4i.i4 FF�i s.CLiSffiE 13, -�� �i o \.JJ their CW [lL -Gait he felt that the May 16 meeting of the Policy and Procedures Boni- iiitcee wouid be heiptui t.' alt concerned. Mayor Comstock acknowledged receipt of a message from Mr. Norman Mjaseth, Scandia Trends, 3300 Park Boulevard, requesting that Park Boulevard remain open. Councilman Seman r i.seo a question for star, asking whether the_ af- fected peep'e had had --an opportunity to see the Flan_and how long they - - - had had to evaluate it. .c.ing Assistant City Manager Walker replied that the plain had been shown to the members of the Olive -West Meadow Association the previous Wedresd=•J_ Ape ll %6- MQTION: Councilman Pearson moved, seconded by Norton, that the City Manager's report (CMR:253:2) dated April 27,1972 .oncex ng the Olive - West Meadow Neighborhood -- Evaliation of Plan "A" Barrier System -- be referred to the Policy and Procedures Committee for consideration at the May 16, 1972 meeting. The motion passed can a unanimous voice vote. TOPICS Intersection Im•rovenenti CMR:258:2) Mayor Comstock asked City Manager Sipel to report. City Manager Sipel outlined the three alternative courses of action open to Council, as recorded in GfR:253:2, namely, to continue the project in its present form; to terminate the project entirely; or to-make•suhstantial changes and proceed either as a City project or reapply for TOPICS parti- cipation. Mayor Comstock asked what would be the effect on the Design Hearing scheduled for May 18, if the Council took action at this time. City Manager Sipel responded that the Design Hearing is part of the TOPICS Program and an opportunity to consider minor modificat:.ons only. Respond- ing further to Mayor Comstock, City Manager Sipel stated that in his view the Watkins -Johnson proposal for the Hillview-Miranda intersection did rot: fell into the category of a design change but rather, represents a radical departure from what was originally proposed. Mayor Comstock ackr:ovLedged receipt of a number of letters received at the meeting this evening and others which have been forwarded to Council in the Council packet. He said that Council would now hear from members of thc-pub!i:. Gloria Brown, 1766 Fulton Street,' stated that she had contacted 25 persons residing in the area and 85% of those people were in favor of having Seale left open. Only one person favored the closure. Edwin A. Seipp, Chairman, Board of Trusteea, Castilleja School, 1310 Bryant Street, spoke in'favnr of the closure of Melville on the south side of Rxbarcadero because, he said, it is difficult to see traffic from-4hp_ Eiabarcadero underpass and cars turning off of Melville at Embarcadero endanger the students. 6 3 5/1/72 f. Harriet Mundy, -757 Tennyson, opposed blocking off Seale and said she had never ----qpan_ ar.__�cnid .,r - L�e driven _chat route. StIC atc.v uavin _ea�nnenn t f t5 p f the urri _. __, .. _ _ _viii u, i.v ic%�. cct w uac v.� the word taUiv �r NiiLti concerning this Agenda item and said that he thought it was dangerous and disruptive to the traffic to close Seale. Dr. Judah Landes, 881 Seale,. favored the S--_- ,,, ,_ _-._ -_ Seal., �': '--.,�.- v47 1.a illg, that Lh many -cars speeding along Seale endanger the children living there. Rich Thesing, 872 Seale; approved the closing of Seale because of motorists proceeding at high speed along that street, rv r=i-d-.S. d -OS Seale, also favored the closing of Seale, citing that is her opinion people drive far ton fast on Se 1e M{chzci J, Cullen, 409 Melville Avenue, favored the closure of Melville on a trial basis and said he thought residents of that street would be in favor of the closing. Lois Smith, 2300 St. Francis Drive, asked Council to consider rer-oving r:,o .:1,-‘-‘1.r of Scale from this project on the grounds that such closure would generate more traffic on Newell and California avenue and ettdaf,ge the children attending Garland School and Jordan Jr. High School. Nancy Thesing, 872 Seale, said that the Seale closure made Seale a delight- ful and much safer street, Allan Chin, 854 Seale, approved the closing of Seale because of the cars traveling at 50 m.p.h. He said he favored following the recom- mendations of the Plar'iing Commission. Stuart Whittelsey, 1736 Oak Creek Drive, Palo Alto, on behalf of Watkins- Johnsct=Corpany, requested that Dr. D. Jackson Faustman, Consulting Traffic Engineer; be permitted to make a presentation and clarify some points in connection with the Watkins -Johnson proposal,for the liillview-Miranda intersection. With Council's consent, Dr. Faustman made a short presentation of sug- gested solutions for traffic problems at that intersection and showed slides to illustrate his research and conclusions. Summing up, Dr. Faustman agreed that he felt there had been some misunderstanding with the ',ounty over what is proposed and also agreed that it would be help- ful for Mr. Noguchi, City Traffic Engineer, the County Traffic Engineer Mr. Shields, and himself to meet for a discussion of the problem. Mr. Ted T. Noguchi, Traffic Engineer, stated that he had reviewed Dr. Faustman's material and agreed that there were differences of opinion which might be resolved in a joint meeting. City Manager Sipel stated that he thought it would be possible to post- pone the Hillview-Miranda portion of the TOPICS program for a period of about two weeks. f:esponding to a question from Councilman 8eahrs, City Attorney Stone stated that he did not think there was such a thing as an "indefensible liability situatic^". He said that the Council could not be held liable b4 5/1/72 c.....<i,Gr. .inej% could be held liable if they took no action when a dangerous situation was known to exist, however. MOTION. -Councilman Pearson moved, seconded by tteaitrs, that the ililiview— Miranda section of the TOPICS Intersection Improvenenrs__Prnorem, -�;--- No. 70-59.__be-cnrir{,,....a-4_ The motion -passed on a unariinous voice vote. MOTION: Councilman Pearson moved, seconded by Clark, that Ccuncil authorize the rest of the TOPICS Program, Project No. /0-59, lnciuding rho _Rrsharrarinrrn_el e..re__s.'d .. ._ .....� ct-iannelizar_;:-^ -ors e,nurchill, to proceed according to schedule. 795 TIrfi.70—Barrp.n_r=r1r, IsAA. —.me comments fret the commuter's point of view and made some suggestions regarding the Hillview-Foothill intersection. The motion to proceed with the TOPICS Program, other than the Hillview- Miranda intersection, passed on a majority voice vote. Mayor Comstock announced that Council would now recess to Executive Session. (The Council recessed to Executive Session from 9:50 to 10:10 p.m.) Contract for Services -- Alcohol Tests (CMR: ) Referring to the report of April 27, City Manager Sipel recommended exe- cution of an amendment to the City of Palo Alto's contract with techno- logist Milton W. Smith, Jr. MOTION: Councilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Henderson, that thf--.amend- ment to the contract for services of laboratory technologist for alcohol tests be approved and that the Mayor be instructed to execute the amend- ment to increaave the maximum amount payable under this contract to $7,000. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. A lication for Alcoholic Bevera e cense -- , e arre nc 7157M77;71.37017775767tint MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Norton, that the City take no action regarding the application for,alcoholic beverage license - The Old Barrej,'Inc., 4075 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, California, and that thia matter be filed. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. Contracts for Insurance Services Hay!,>r Comstc ck asked Mr. Alfred J. Mitchell, City Controllc:. tc report. .6 5 5/1/72 See I Page 84 City Controller Al Mitchell referred to his memo to the efty---C ._.ci dated April 27; 147? -t_,n.-=_ttin --contracts covering services to be pro - :sided ---by the Palo Alto Insurance Association in the procurement of property and liability insurance; and services provided by Marsh & M,:Lennar_ per- _-_ taining to employee --group insurance. Referring to the Marsh & McLenniir..,contract, Councilman Henderson asked for clarification of paragraph 7 (b) cove ing payment of $1,000 annual fee for the employees' group insurance:preoram, scat gig that he felt this was a rather high fee to be paying Marsh & McLennan for ;services advising the City staff on administration of the Blue Cross Plan. City Controller Mitchell responded that staff had explored an "as needed" fee and that the $1,000 was one-third of what h..d been requested. The consultant has advised the City since 1957. The $1,000 covers advice to =0i rnP ;slue [:rn�s Plan, -which has been in effect approximately one year. City Attorney Stone explained furthci that the consultant does advise the City by comparing ind continually reviewing Blue Cross with other avail, coverage. Councilman Beahrs raised a gecotlen about the legal responsibility of the AGsoca--it_=cn as tar as general insurance is concerned and where the legal liability rests. City Attorney Stone answered that the legal liability rests with the Association. Councilman Pearson commented that Blue Cross itself advises groups free of charge on coverage and said she thought the City could do without paying the $1,000 fee. MOTION: Councilman Clark moved, seconded by Leahrs, that the Mayor be authorized to execute the contracts with Palo Alto_. Insurance Association and Marsh & McLennan on behalf of the City. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. Measure C on June Primary "Mndment to Santa Clara County arter re Par Land Mayor Comstock acknowledged receipt of correspondence signed by the AAUW, League of Women Voters, and the North County Chairman and Co -Chairman of Citizens for Measure C, requesting that the Palo Alto City Council officially endorse Measure C on the June ballot, and enclosing a copy of the ballot wording. Mayor Comstock said Council would now hear from the puhlic. Elizabeth H. Kniss, authorized representative of ts,t American Association of University ►'omen, Palo Alto Branch, 476 Ferric:. Avenue, urged Council to endorse Proposition C on the June ballot, Lawrence Klein, North County Chairman, Citizens for Measure C, 531 Hilbar, noted that he has -appeared before other City Councils in the County and has received various endorse,ients. He asked the Palo Alto City Council to endorse Measure C. 66 5/1/72 Councilman Clark noted that the PPC of Santa Clara County had approved this Measure, Mill -111N! Ma _ be instructed to prepare a resolution expressing the support of the Palo Alto City Co ecil for r`_easure_C (ampndmenr _t _Sant.. Cla_ra_C_-__ _-,- -_-__ � ...,�..,.... .,�o.o .. y Charter re Par' i -nth } i--= • --- - .vi •� ♦ on Liit .1L.i:C rLj.ilidLy. -- _ ---- _. The '."motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. California Avenue Area Develo ment ssoc ation s eauti ication Plan Mayor Comstock rpeopeala— v z. i itiuo►l pe Lwal0 . Councilman Berwald stated that tonight - the u':cii moult{-- car -the pre- sentation -_ of the fury_•-__-- o!e a efthe California Avenue Area Development Assoc ' Ellis L. Jacobs, 445 Cambridge Avenue, representing the California Avenue Area Development Association, presented the Association's Beautification Plan and, describing the diagonal parking to be entered from either direction on California Avenue, said that the Association would like to implement this plan on a trial basis for the next 60 days with one lane of traffic going in each direction to discourage through truck traffic and commuters. Richard Shoaff, Park Boulevard, also representing the California Avenue Area Development Association, showed slides of various streets in other communities with planters, wide sidewalks, crosswalk treatment, benches and other characteristics employed to create a pedestrian mall. He said the Association was not proposing specifics, only schematic treatment. Responding to a question from Councilman Berwald, City Manager Sipel stated that staff expected to be able to report back within a few weeks with regard to Phase I of the Association's plan; that it would take longer to consider Phase I1. Councilman Berwald commended the California Avenue Area Development Asso- ciation for the improvements they have devised fo,the California Avenue District. Mr. Ellis Jacobs responded to a question from Councilman Rosenbaum con- cerning the location of bike lanes. Councilman Pearson raised a question regarding funds that might be re- quired from the City. She also asked for details on the sale of the alley - at tha corner of El Camino Real and California Avenue to the San Francisco Federal Savings. City Manager Sipel responded that there have only been preliminary dis- cussions on this subject thus fat. No action was taken concerning this item. 6_7 5/1/72 Automatic Vote Ta11y SYsteri r Mayor Comstock recognized Councilman Henderson. 1 See Page 84 �;vurtc'� marl ner.ac N. 3 tilt reLe rrc�i :.:, ;,i5 memorandum to his colleagues of. April 27 and sat. Mr, Sipe1 might wish to make fueehe r. sipel confirmed that the wiring for an automatic vote tally system in the Council Chambers does exist and there has been research on this subrect.- Therefore, the staff assignment would require very little staff time. MOTION: Councilman Henderson moved, seconded by Seman, that the Council direct the staff to report on the feasibility and cost of installing an automatic voting system. The motion passed on a majority voice vote. Vest Bay Associate's Suit Mayor Comstock recognized Councilman Pearson. Councilr.an Pearson referred to het r:;emo to Council dated April 26 and the attached article concerning the West Bay Coa unity Associate's suit claim- ing title to 10,000 acres of water covered land from San Francisco Inter- national Airport to Palo Alto. MOTION: Councilman, Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, that staff be directed to conduct a study and inquiry of the suit filed by West Bay Associates and report back to Council. Responding to a question, City Attorney Stone stated that the proposed Judy could code back to CcuDc!1 ithin 30 days. Mayor Comstock recognized Kent t)edrick, ?ant t{edrick, Vice President, Committee for Green Foothills, 1715 Altschul Avenue, Menlo Park, stated that the Committee has been following this :ratter since 1966 and has kept a careful eye on developments. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. Book Form tor Printin Mayor Comstock recognized Councilman Clark. Councilman Clark raised an item of new business regarding the procedure for printing Council letters and information and staff replies on both sides of the sheet. He requested that book form be followed. City Manager Sipel said staff would be happy to comply with this request. Oral Communications 1. Sut Smith, 365 Crant, speaking for the Community Coalition, not excluding but not exclusively led by Venceremos, made a statement concerning aw Day; the proposal for a seven point:peace plan; 6 8 5/1/72 Oral Communications _ (ccatinu_d) . (continued) the Viet Nam War. He requested that agenda items related to war demonstrations and curtailment of war related industries be put on a forthcoming Council Agenda, Mayor Comstock asked Sut Smith to submit his requests in writing. . Emily ?enzel, 1056 Forest Avenue, complained of City sprayers spraying her trees with pyrethrum against her wishes; she ob- jected to the scope and shape of tree pruning on University Avenue; inquired about the status of the City's tree ordinance. City Attorney Stone responded that the tree preservation ordi- nance would come before Council in approximately two weeks' time. City Manager Sipel responded regarding the voluntary spray plan and said he hoped this would be installed soon. He aaded thpt his office would review the University Avenue pruning. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m. APPROVED: 611 i 11) /1 //--) /d1 Mayor ATTEST: 69 5/1/7j