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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02021970City Hall Palo Alto, California February 2, 1970 The Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Arnold presiding. Present: Arnold. Beahrs, Berwald, Clark, Comstock, Dias, Gallagher, Norton (arrived 7:35 p.m.), Pearson, Spaeth, Wheatley Absent: None Approval of Minutes January 19, 1970 The Minutes of the Council meeting of January 19, 1970 were approved as distributed. Middlefield Road Underground Utility Conversion Project No. b8-86 (CMR:441:0) Mayor Arnold declared open the public hearing regarding the estab- lishment of Underground Utility District No. 12 - Middlefield Road. ---Bond Counsel Jones described the purpose of the hearing, advised that property owners in the proposed underground utility district had been notified in accordance with the law. City Manager Morgan described the mailing to the property owners, stating they had been advised of the project and its extent and advised, that in addition to the nailing, property owners were invited to attend a meeting which took place at the City Hall where members of the Light and Power Department were present for the purpose of inform- ing property owners about the project and responding to questions concerning it. Cole Richmond, 260 Chestnut Street, Palo Alto, speaking on behalf of the Board of the Zion Church, 3549 Middlefield Road, asked questions concerning details of the project. Chief Light and Power Engineer Bosea responded to questions and advised little or no cost to the Church would arise not of the installation of the proposed underground utilities, and invit2d Mr. Richmond to discuss the mat- ter further with him, if necessary. Jeff Wilks, Manager of the Pacific Telephone Company office in Palo Alto, stated he could not respond to Mr. Richmond's questions at this time, but estimated costs would be nominal. Dean Stenberg, attorney representing Mrs. Baker, owner of the prop- erty at 3475 Middlefield Road. Paln !alto, asked questions concerning details of the project cost, and Mr. Bosza and Mr. Morgan replied, 189 2/2/70 Robert J. Debs, 3145 Flowers, Palo Alto, asked where he might see plans showing physical details of the project and was advised by Mr. Morgan that, in accordance with regular procedure, detailed construction plans are not yet available. Mr. Jones also responded stating that if the proposed district is formed, plans will be presented to Council for approval and bidding, then bids will be invited. Mr. Debs urged that the Pacific Telephone Company and the City present their plans at the same time. Mayor Arnold declared the public portion of the hearing closed. MOTION: Councilman Gallagher introduced the following ordinance and moved, seconded by Beahrs, its approval for first reading: "An Ordinance Amending Section 12. 16.020 of Chapter 12. 16 of Title 12 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code by Establishing Under- ground Utility District No. 17" The ordinance was approved for first reading unanimously by voice vote. MOTION: Councilman Gallagher introduced the following resolution and moved, seconded by Beahrs, its adoption: Resolution No. 4327 entitled "A Resolution Determining Prop- erties Electing to Pay Cost Over a Period of Years" Bond Counsel Jones advised that if property owners in addition to those listed on Exhibit A of the proposed resolution should wish to elect to pay the cost over a period of years, arrangements can be made for there to do so. The resolution was adopted unanimously by voice vote. Transportation Planning Prosrar - Amaranta Avenue Area Councilman Dias presented the report of the Planning and Procedures Committee regarding the portion of the Transportation Planning Pro- gram which relates to the Amaranta Avenue area and asked that any- one in the audience who wished to speak be permitted to do so before the motion containing the Committee recommendations is made. Joseph 13. Harvey, Los p.obles Avenue, Palo Alto, stated that he believed it may not have been made clear at the Committee meeting that the bumps suggested to slow traffic were recotrmended for installation only at stop signs, suggesting that such installations would canse the City no increased liability and recommending their installation in the Arniaranta Avenue area. Mr. Harvey then responded to questions from Council merrtbers concerning his recommendation. 190 2/2,'70 1 Ross Staley, 4147 Amaranta Avenue, Palo Alto, Chairman,- Lorna Vista Homeowners Association, urged the Council to support the portion of the Committee recommendation relating to no change regarding Los Robles Avenue, and to refer the portion of the recom- mendation relating to designation of the area to Committee for recon- sideration andto include in their discussion the possible use of bumps atstop signs to slow traffic. B-uce Hamlett, 4031 Amaranta Avenue, Palo Alto, presented a peti- tion in support of traffic control bumps on Amaranta Avenue. Gene Heck; _ 649 Maybeli, Palo Alto, spoke in favor of installation of traffic bumps in the Amaranta Avenue area. Discussion followed and City Manager Morgan, City Attorney Hildebrand, Director of Planning and Community Development Poureroy, and Traffic Engineer Noguchi replied to questions concerning possible increased City liability if bumps are used; the results of traffic studies indicating that 95% of the Amaranta Avenue traffic is generated in the area itself; the possible effect on the effectiveness of stop signs if bumps are also installed at some of there; the possibility that other neighborhoods might present more justification for bumps and request them also; the recent increased policing of the Arnaranta area resulting in the issuance, mostly to residents of the area, of 101 citations in nine days, the, of having the local neighborhood associ- ation educate its members in regard to safe driving practices, and the intention of maintaining increased police surveillance-of_the, area until the traffic situation is improved. MOTION: Councilman Dias moved, on behalf of the Planning and Fro- cedures Committee, that in regard to the Amaranta Avenue area portion of the Transportation Planning Program that the Los Robles Avenue extension to Araztradero Road recommended by the consult- ant and the Paradise Way route and Matadero Avenue route recom- mended as alternatives are not acceptable. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. MOTION: Councilman Dias moved, on behalf of the Planning and Procedures Committee, that in regard to the Amaranta Avenue area portion of the Transportation Planning Program, that the Council recognize the Amaranta Avenue/Maybell Avenue/Coulombe Drive route as a neighborhood collector street route rather than as a group of local residential streets with the understanding that no recom- mendation is`niade o: implied for any present or future widening or other improvement of those streets which would encourage any greater proportion of the area's traffic than they presently carry. AMENDMENT: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Pearson, to delete "aa a neighborhood collector street route rather than". The amendment carried by majj rity voice :.etc. i / AMENDMENT: Councilman Comstock moved, eeconded by Pearson, that the staff be directed to prepare a plan for the installation of traffic bumps at the stop signs on Arnaranta Avenue. AMENDMENT OUT OF ORDER: Mayor ,Arnold ruled the proposed amendment out of order at this time. The motion then failed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Arnold, Comstock, Pearson Noes: Beahrs, i3erwald, Clark, Dias, G?.11agher. Norton, Spaeth, Wheatley MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Pearson, that staff be directed to prepare plans for traffic bumps for Arnaranta Avenue at each stop sign. The motion failed by majority voice vote. Councilman Dias reported receipt by the Planning and Procedures Committee of a petition requesting removal of the barrier at Clemo Avenue and advised that since the barriers were installed on a trial basis, no action is recommended at this time. (The Council recessed from 10:00 to 10:15 p.m.) Alcoholic Bevera a License Transfer - 135 Univez sign Avenue (CMR:430:0) Mayor Arnold asked permission to bring up out of order at this time the item relating to an alcoholic beverage license transfer at 135 University Avenue. There were no objections. MOTION: Vice Mayor Wheatley moved, :seconded by Beahrs, that the City protest the alcoholic beverage license transfer application of the "Poppycock", 135 University Avenue, in accordance with the staff recommendation contained in the City Manager's report of January 23, 1970 (CMR:430:0). The motion arried unanimously by voice vote. Palo Alto Cons inners Exchange Mayor Arnold requested permission to consider out of order at this time the item relating to the Palo Alto Consumers Exchange. There were no objections. MOTION: Councilman Spaeth moved, seconded by Beahrs, to continue for one week the matter concerning the Palo Alto Consumers Exchange. The rnotien car rie:i irt9_nir nour,ly by voice vote. 192 2/2/70 Zone ChanLe Request - Palo Alto/Salinas Savings Mayor Arnold stated that he is a stockholder of the Palo Alto/Salinas Savings Company and asked Vice Mayor Wheatley to act as Chairman of the meeting during the discussion of the zone change request from that Company. (Mayor Arnold left the meeting at 10:22 p.m.) Councilman Beahrs stated that the applicant holds a mortgage of hiss and he also has an account with the applicant. In response to question, City Attorney Hildebrand advised that the item before the Council is related to zoning, and is a noncontractuai matter, and, therefore, following disclosure of any interest in the Palo Alto/ Salinas Savings Company, all councilmen may participate in discussion and vote. Councilman Norton advised that he has three accounts with the applicant. (Councilman Norton left the meeting at 10:23 p.m.) \rice Mayor Wheatley stated he has a savings account with the applicant. Councilman Pearson advised that her children -have -savings ?�cc.u� nits with the applicant. (Councilman Spaeth left the meeting at 10:24 p.m.) Councilman Dias stated she has a savings account with the applicant. MOTION: Counciman Dias moved, on behalf of the Planning and Procedures Committee, in regard to the request from Palo Alto/ Salinas Savings relating to their property that no change be made in the Civic Center District Zone. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. (Mayor Arnold and Councilmen Norton and Spaeth returned at 10:30 p.m.) Menag�ement Audits MOTION: Councilman Spaeth moved, on behalf of the Finance Com- mittee, that a change of auditors for the 1970-71 Fiscal Year be made aztd that the City Manager and City Controller be directed to invite proposals from qualified firms, such proposals to be reviewed by the Finance Committee in anticipation of subsequent recommendations to the Council and that staff develop specifications to be included in the solicitations of the proposals. The :notion carried unanimously by voice vntsgo 193 2/2/70 MOTION: Councilman Spaeth moved, on behalf of the Finance Com- mittee, that a policy for expansion of the scope of Council -directed independent audits beyond the standard annual verifications of finan- cial statements be established and implemented and that the first subject area be Insurance Administration (risk/cost evaluations; policy procurement and indemnity bonds), and 1) the staff be directed to request proposals for the evaluation of the City's insurance program from qualified firros, and 2) the Finance Committee review subject proposals and recom- mend a consultant to the City Council. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Transportation P oii • Committee Councilman Comstock reported on the recent activities of the Trans- portation Policy Committee, the reevaluation of the public transpor- tation issue and the desire of the Committee to submit a new proposal to the electorate. Councilman Comstock suggested that the names of any interested and qualified citizens who might like to serve on a community in' olvernent program should be given to hire for subinis- sio x to the -Transportation Policy Committee. Parking Enforcement Pro ram (CMR:440:a) ea�ow®vyv��r�n�n�.�an �awsr neroRr MOTION: Councilman Clark introduced the following resolution and moved, seconded by Gallagher, its adoption: Resolution No. 4328 entitled "Resolution of the Cow:teil of the City of Palo Alto Amending Resolution No. 4267 (The Compensa- tion Plan) to Add the Classification of Parking Monitor" The resolution was adopted unanimously by voice vote. MOTION: Councilman Clark introduced the following ordinance, and moved, seconded by Gallagher, its adoption: Ordinance No. 2542 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the city of Palo Alto Amending Ordinance No. 2507 (Adopting a Budget tor Fiscal Year 19€ 9- 70) to Increase the Number of Authorized Poi.itions" The ordinance was adopted unanimously by voice vote. MOTION: Councilman Clark introduced the following ordinance and moved, seconded by Dias, its approval for first reading: ago 2/2/70 "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Section 10. 36.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Authorize Parking Monitors to Enforce State and Local Regulations Govern- ing Stopping, Standing or Parking of Vehicles" The ordinance was approved for first reading unanimously by voice vote. Rinconada Swimming Pool (CMR:423:0) MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Pearson, to reject the bid of Western U.S. Construction Company of Santa Barbara for rehabilitation of the Rinconada swimming pool and that staff be directed to seek bids as outlined in the report of the City Manager of January 29, 1970 (CAM:423:0). The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. City Office Move_ Bids MOTION: Councilman Beahrs,moved, seconded by Gallagher, that the low _-i3iii-oi Palo -Akio Transfer and Storage Company in the amount of $12, 030 for moving City offices to the Civic Center be accepted. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. El Carnino Property .ed Cross Lease (CUM:438:0) ®t.. __ __ n _l__.—m.rn.�rrsrne c+e�...wm.ra..ee.wm. +.n MOTION: Councilman Spaeth moved, and it was duly seconded, that the matter of the Red Cross Lease of El Camino Park property be referred to the Planning and Procedures Conunittee for study and recommendation and that the Committee receive from the City Attorney a proposed ballot proposition if the Committee so desires for con- sideration in its deliberations. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Brant Street Protect (CMR:439:0) Dick Rosenbaum, 717 Garland £)rive, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to any development of a Bryant Street Project, specifically with ref- eriince to the number of additional care such a project may bring to the: area. MOTION: Councilman Berwald moved, seconded by Beahrs, that the proposal of Cornish te Carey for development of a Bryant Street Pro- ject be referred to the Finance Committee. The motion earrie4 unanimously by voice vote. 195 2/2/70 Reevaluation of Goals for Palo Alto MOTIOI4: Councilman Dias moved, seconded by Beahrs, to refer to the Planning Commission for study, reevaluation and recommenda- tio.l of goals in regard to population and growth factors of the General Plan; this evaluation to be done in light of the increasing value placed by the community on the environment of the area. The motion failed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Beahrs, Clark, Dias, Pearson Noes: Arnold, Berwald, Comstock, Gallagher, Norton, Spaeth, Wheatley Noise Abatement MOTIClk-- : Councilman Pearson moved, seconded by Comstock, to ask the staff to study methods of decreasing the City's own noise pollutants. CLARIFICATION: In response to question, Councilman Pearson stated that her motion refers to the City's garbage trucks, tree._ grins e s___ street---wacper ,_--etc. The motior, carried by majority voice vote. Ad jourx,xnent There being no further business, the Council adjourned at 11441 p. rn. APPRCVED: t 96 212/70