HomeMy WebLinkAbout07251966City Hall
Palo Alto, California
July 25, 1966
The Council of the City of Pao Alto met on this date at 7:46 p, m.
with Vice Mayor Rus' presiding.
Present:: Arnold, Reahrs, Comstock, Cooley, Debs, Pearson,
Rohrs, Rus, Sher, Woodward, Wor .hingtcr..
Absent: Dias, Flint.
Approval of Minutes - June 27, 1966
Councilman Sher requested the following additions to his motion on
page 265, paragraph 6: the addition of the word "of" after the word
"Renovation", and at the end of the sentence to add "with cctrrespor_d-
ing clarification made on pages 5 artd 10 of the Capital Improvement
Program."
Councilman Comstock requested that the last lines of the second para-
graph on page 264 reading "The motion carried urranimcuslc be de-
leted.
The Council approved the Minutes of June 27, 1966 as corrected.
A provat. of Minutes - Jcil�► 11, 1966
Councilman Pearson asked to have "Councilman" inserted before
"Sher" in the fourth paragraph on page 276 and before "Debs" in the
seventh paragraph on page 277.
The Council approved the Minute.. of July 11, 1966 as corrected._
Three -Wa'a Stop Sins Park E+culevard
Councilman Sher moved, on behalf of the Planning and Procedures
Committee, that three-way stop signs be put in at Tennessee, Ventura
and Fernando Streets on Park Boulevard and introduced the following
resolution for adoption:
Resolution No. 391Z: "Resolution of the Council of the City of
Palo Alto Amending Resolution No. 2971 Making Certain Inter-
sections Stop Intersections."
Councilman Comstock seconded the motion.
Councilman Sher, seconded by Comstock, moved an amendment that
another sign be placed on the Page Mill side of Fernando indicating
there is a stop sign ahead.
Vice Mayor Rus asked if there was anyone present who wished to
speak.
Mr. William R. Chester, 4153 Park Borievard, Palo Alto, spoke
about the heavy croso-town traffic on Park Boulevard and the re-
sulting traffic hazards, particularly for children. He urged the City
to put "Keep Clear" signs at Charleston and Peek, speed limit signs
on Park where they would be -appropriate, and a traffic diverter at
Meadow and Park.
Mrs. William Barnhart, 4237 Park Boulevard, Palo Alto, stated
that traffic controls on Park are uegently needed and particularly
recommended a traffic diverter at Meadow and Park.
Following discussion concerning the possibility of :raking Park
Boulevard a one-way street, or posting additional "25 Miles Per
Hour" signs, City Manager Morgan reminded the Council that the
original motion had to be in the form of adopting a resolution and
that Councilman Sher's amendment was not proper, but could be
presented later as a. direction to staff. Councilman Sher withdrew
his amendment and Councilnnau Comstock withdrew his second.
Resolution No. 3912 w2s then adopted unanimously.
Councilman Sher, seconded by Comstock, moved that the staff be
directed to place an advance warning sign on the Page Mill side of
Fernando indicating a stop sign ahead. The motion carried unani-
mously.
Mr. Chester then asked to speak again. He suggested another ad-
vance warning sign be posted at the Tennessee -Park intersection.
Councilman Rohrs moved, seconded by Woodward, to refer Mr.
Chester's suggestion to staff to study and report back on later. The
motion carried unazaimoi,sly.
-CT:itincilman Sher moved, seconded by Comstock, to construct an
experimental barrier for a six.month trial period on Park on the
south side of Meadow to prevent through traffic on Park at this
intersection, with a report on the results to the Council at the end
of the six-month period.
Councilman Arnoldmoved, seconded by Beahrs, that the matter be
referred to staff for a report on saicty and traffic considerations
and returned to the Council with appropriate recommendations. At
Councilman Pearson's request, the motion would also include the
north. end of Park Boulevard.
Councilman Sher tailed the point of order that Councilman Pearson's
request cannot be aided. to the motion to t :,fer the matter to the staff.
Vice Mayor Rua ruled Mrs. Pearson's request cut of order.
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The motion to refer then carried on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Arnold, Beahrs, Cooley, Rohrs, Rus, Woodward.
Noes: Comstock, Debs, Pearson, Sher, Worthington.
Councilman Pearson moved, seconded by Comstock, that a second
experimental barrier at the north end of Park in the area cif Lambert -
Chestnut -Fernando be studied by the staff at the same time as the
one on the south side of Meadow at Park. The motion carried by
majority voice vote.
Traffic Signal - Gunn High School
Councilman Sher moved, and it was duly seconded, that the Planning
and Procedures Committee recommendation that a traffic signal be
installed at the Gunn High School entrance -exit as proposed by Deleeuw,
Cather & Company and that the School Board he approached as to
joint participation in financing the signal be adopted. He asked City
Manager Morgan and City Engineer Witbeck to exp;.zin details to the
Council. Mr. Witbeck referred to the chart indicating a left -turn
storage lane on Ara-stradero from Foothill to Il Camino. Traffic
from Gunn High School would activate the signal. Mr. Witbeck
stated that traffic going in the opposite direction turning left to
enter the school grounds would also activate the signal. -
Councilman Debs moved, seconded by Pearson, an amendment to
have also pedestrian crossings with pushbuttons. The motion carried
on a majority voice vote.
The motion as amended carried :unanimously.
A �..�t:.... t.ne,9i Amdorte rc't!"ma:=nn C ntY2rinisslorn
The Local Agency FormAtion Commission report regarding areas to
be considered for annexation was discussed, including costs involved
and whether it wou i be desirable to approach the citizens of the un-
incorporated area or whether it would be best to let the people there
take the initiative. Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Comstock,
that the Planninz and Procec,nres Committee recommendation that
no action be taken on the report at this time be adopted. The motion
carried on a majority voice vote.
Caul I�rnProvements Pro ra.m
Councilran Rohrs moved, seconded by Cooley, that the Planning
Conn i,tsion Report on the Capital Improvements Program be accepted.
The motion carried unanimously.
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County -wide Planning
Councilman Arnold described the organization and activities of the
Inter -City Council and the Mayors Committee. He moved, and it
was duly seconded, that the Palo Alto City Council state its support
of the principle of county -wide planning and its interest in examining
proposals for organization and by-laws emanating from the Mayors
Committee of the Inter -City Council.
Councilman Debs suggested that any action at this time was prema-
ture., and he would prefer to wait until the Mayors Con mittee rcpert
has been presented to the main committee for its action. Council-
man Rohrs stated that the Council would be merely giving the Mayors
Committee a "pat on the back' to encourage other cities to cooperate
in regional planning, but that there is no commitment involved.
Councilman Sher observed that there are various contexts of plan-
ning and that the Council should not go ahead with any support with-
out knowing what the format of county -wide planning is to be. He
also st3t:d he preferred to wait for the Mayor c Committee report.
Councilman Arnold stated he would relay the reactions of Council
members to the Committee.
The motion carried on the folio wing roll call vote:
Ayes: Arnold, Beahrs, Cooley, Rohrs, Rus Woodward.
Noe s: Comstock, Debs, Pearson, Sher, Worthington.
Economic O•° rtunit Corzzrniss;ion
:�_.,.. _-.�,-�"—�- mom..-.
Councilman Arnold moved, seconded by Cooley, that the Mayor be
authorized to designate a member of the Council to act as liaison
between Palo Alto and the Economic Opportunity Commission.
Councilman Comstock declared that he wished to state his support
of tae motion. The motion carried unanirnously.
Park Dedication Ordinance
Vice Mayor Rus moved, and it was duly seconded, the adoption of
the following ordinance:
Ordinance No. 2300: "Ordinance of the Council of the City of
Palo Alto Amending Ordinance No. 2252 (Park Dedication
Ordinance} by Adding Whereto Sections A-15. 1, A-21. 2 and
A-21.3 being those Parcels Acquired as the Nolte Property,
Addition to Mitchell Park, Arastradero Road Park and South
Palo .alto Neighborhood Park."
The motion carried unanimously.
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Zoning Ordinance Requirement
neesin' ie - :rand A -R Districts
Vice Mayor Rus moved, and it was duly seconded, the adoption of
the following ordinance:
Ordinance No. 2301: "Ordinance of the Council of the City of
Palo Alto Amending Sections 8B. 02(d), 9A. 02 and Adding Section
9A. 03 to Ordinance 1324, the Zoning Ordinance, Regulating Re-
strictions on Uses Permitted in the R -3:P and A -R Districts."
The rnvziun carried on majority voice vote. Councilman Delis wished
to be recorded as voting against the motion.
Zonin Ordinance Amendment -
_reet Parrr n tle A rDiatrict
a s
Vice Mayor Rus moved, :3ecc'nded by Arnold, the adoption of the
following ordinance:
Ordinance No. 230Z: "Ordinance of the Council of the City of
Palo Alto Amending Section 9A. 13 of Ordinance 1324, the Zoning
Ordinance, Deleting Reference to a Use Perrn..t Pertaining to
Off -Street Parking in the A -R District."
The motion care ied una.r:irnously.
Deetr . ction of Delinquent Tax Rolle
Councilman Rohr moved, seconded by Comstock, the adoption of
the following resolution:
Resolution No. 3913: "Resolution of the Council of the City of
Palo Alto Ordering the Destruction of Delinquent Tax Rolls More
Than Twelve Years Old and Original Secured Rolls on Which They
Are Based."
Controller Mitchell advised that destruction of Ruch tax rolls is in
accordance with State statutes and that the Librarian will retain some
as historical documents. ?n reply to Councilman Beahrs' question,
he also advised that all receivables have been extracted.
The motion carried unanimously.
(Councilmen Cooley and Worthington left the Chambers at 9:00 p.m.)
Areernent for Purchase of Electrical Facilities
City Manager Morgan recommended the purchase of foothills area
facilities adjacent to the Park owned by the Pacific Gas & Electric
311
7/25/;)6
Company and that the Mayor be authorized to execute an agreement
on behalf of the City.
Councilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Woodward, t'aat the Council
approve Mr. Morgan's recommendation and authorize the Mayor to
execute the agreement. The *notion carried unanimously.
(Councilman Comstock left the Chambers at 9:01 p.m.)
California Avenue Parking Project No. 65-9
City Manager Morgan outlined the California Avenue Parking Project
No. 6539 as described in his report of July 20. He advised that the
Council could adopt the proposed resolution, refer the matter to the
Planning and Procedures Committee and/or to the Planning Commis-
sion or take .10 action.
(Councilman Comstock returned at 9:05 p. m. )
Councilman Arnold moved, seconded by Rohrs, that the report be
referred to the Planning and Procedures Committee so that the Corn-
mittee members could go into the :natter in some detail.
Councilman Sher noted that those in favor of the Project had started
to obtain signatures of 60% of the property owners involved and then
abandoned the effort. He asked if Mr. Morgan had an explanation.
Mr. Morgan replied that he would prefer to have a representative of
the group answer the question, but stated that petitions of less than
60% have been used in the past and are legal.
(Councilman Worthington returned at 9:08 p.m.)
Mr. Mike Golick, Secretary -Manager of the California Avenue Area
Development Association, asked to speak. Heoutlined_t a history
--v-�..s ii1�-- _iJ{___.-
his Association and ?tated_the belief os his group that additional park-
ing space is_u•r;ently needed in the California Avenue area. He said
the Kaociation had discovered that it would take so much time to get
the signatures of 60% of the property owners, some of whom do not
live in the area, that they had decided to abandon the effort. However,
he stated, at a meeting of landlords, merchants and professional
people from the area, at which 50 of the 200 invites were present,
as well as Mr. Morgan, the City Engineer and the Off -Street Parking
Committee of the Association, the group discussed the subject, and
after, the City staff members had left, decided to go ahead with the
off-street parking project,
After further discussion, the motion to refer carried on the following
roll call vote:
Ayes: Arnold, Beahrs, Comstock, Cooley, Pearson, Rohrs,
Rus, Woodward, Worthington.
Noes: Deb., Sher. '
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(Council recessed from 9:50 to 9:58 p.m.)
(Councilman Woodward left the Chambers at 9:50 p.m.)
Bicycle Route Report
City Manager Morgan referred to the staff report describing bicycle
routes which might be created in the City but stated that there might
be some difficulty in getting the cyclists to use the routes which are
recommended tc. them.
Councilman Pearson complimente4 the staff on the report and moved
that copies should be sent to the Planning Commission, the Planning
and Procedures Committee, and the City School Traffic Safety Com-
mittee for comments and to the Safety Chairman of the PTA Council
with sufficient copies for distribution to the Safety Chairmen of the
various PTAs in the City. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Comstock and carried unanimously.
Report on Bids - Underground Duct System
City Manager Morgan referred to his letter of July 21 to the Council
reporting on bids for the underground duct system at Page Mill Road
and Hansen Way. He stated the low bid of $57, 722. 00 had been re-
ceived from Central Valley Electric and recommended the Mayor be
authorized to execute the contract on behalf of the City. Councilman
Beahrs moved, seconded by Rohrs, to accept the low bid and authorize
the Mayor to execute the contract. The motion carried unanimously.
Claim for Daannna es
Assistant City Attorney Hildebrand described the claim for damage s
the -Fu z tint -of- $36, OQa filed by Mr. Marion Olan Fretwell. He
stated it should have been filed against Murphy Ccmpany who was
doing the construction work involved in the claim, but since it had
been filed against the City, it wao necessary for the Council to deny
it.
Councilman Beahrs moved, and it was duly seconded, to deny the
claim. The motion carried unanimously.
Stanford Laundry Property
Ct%'incilrnan Arnold moved, seconded by Pearson, that the subject of
phssible acquisition of the approximately 18,000 sq. ft. property at
Forest and Ramona Streets (southeast comber) be referred to the
Public Works Committee and staff be instructed to report regarding
its cost and its availability to the Committee. The motion carried
unanimously.
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Use of County Expressways Funds
Councilman Arnold moved, seconded by Beahrs, that the City Council
request the Santa Clara County Transportation Policy Committee,
and thus, the Board of Supervisors, to assign funds remaining from
Palo Alto's allocation of Phase I and Phase II County Expressways
funds to finance acquisition of right-of-way for the El Camino Im-
provement Project.
Councilman Comstock moved, and it was duly seconded, an amend-
ment to insert between "assign" and "funds" the words "some or all
of the." Councilman Arnold agreed to support Coanxcilmri Comstock's
motion. The motion to amend carried unanimously.
Councilman Comstock moved that an opinion be requested from the
County Counsel regarding the advisability of: (a) the feasibility of
using Phase I and.I1 funds for future Palo Alto street improvement
projects; and (b) the feasibility of using funds from now completed
Palo Alto street improvement projects.
Councilman Arnold stated he believed Councilman Cornstock's motion
should not be an amendment, but a separate request. Councilman
Comstock withdrew his motion.
Councilman Debs moved, seconded ty Worthing en, an amendment
to delete reference to Phase II in the original motion. He stated
his belief that if Phase II was defeated or delayed, the widening of
El Camino could be held up. The amendment failed on the following
tie vote:
Ayes: Comstock, Debs, Pearson, Sher, Worthington.
Noes: Arnold, Bea;ars, Cooley, Rohrs, Rus.
—Discusaio followed concerning the status of the project to widen El
Camino_ City —Manager Morgan advised that the State has said it
will proceed upon receipt of assurance from Palo Alto that financing
and right-of-way are available.
Councilman Arnold moved, and it was duly seconded, to reconsider
Councilman Debe' motion to arneetd. The motion to reconsider
carried on majority voice vote.
Councilman Arnold moved, seconded by Cooley, to delete the refer-
ence to Phase II in his original motion. The motion carried by
majority voice vote.
The motion as amended carried by majority voice vote.
Councilman Comstock restated the motion which he bad previously
withdrawn to request an opinion from the County Counsel regarding
the advisability of: (a) the feasibility of using Phase 1 funds for
future Palo Alto street improvements; and (bj the feasibility of
using funs from now completed Palo Alto street improvement
See Page
:316
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projects. Councilman Rohrs suggested part (b) be dropped, and
Councilman Comstock agreed to withdraw part (b) and offer it as a
separate motion.
The motion to request an opinion from the County Counsel regarding
the feasibility of using Phase I funds for future Palo Alto street im-
provement projects was duly seconded, and carried unanimously.
Councilman Comat-, ± roved to request an opinion from the County
Counsel regarding the feasibility of using funds from previously com-
pleted Palo Alto street improvement projects. The motion failed
for lack of a second.
Bus Stops on :Alma Street
Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Rohrs, that the staff be
directed to prepare a report for the Public Works Committee re-
view concerning pedestrian access to bus stops on Alma Street.
This report should consider, among other possibilities, the installa-
tion of crosswalks. 1arg;r signs, and pedestrian actuated signals.
'the motion carried unanimously.
Use of Gas Tax Funds
Councilman Pearson moved that the resolution of the City Council of
the City of Menlo Park in Opposition to the Use of Gas Tax Funds
for Bonet Arnortizatic n be sent to the Finance Committee for review.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Beahrs and carries' unani-
mously.
Pave Mill Road
See Page
316
Councilman Pearson moved, and it was duly seconded, that the Palo
Alto City Council inform the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors that
the Council is opposed to abandoning the old Page Mill Road after
realignment of Page Mill Road is completed. The motion carried
on majority voice vote.
Santa Clara Flood Control Committee
City Manager Morgan advised the Council that it was necessary to
reappont representatives to the Santa Clara Flood Control Commit-
tee. Councilman Bea.hre moved, seconded by Arnold. that the City
Manager be appointed the Council representative, to the Flood Con-
trol Committee and the City Engineer be appointed as an alternate.
The motion carried unanimously.
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Writte Communications
NIP
1
Letter from Allen L. Wood, First Vice President, United Palo
Altans, concerning the vise of buildings in the current Civic
Center proposals. Councilman Rohrs moved, seconded by
Cooley, that the letter be sent to the Public Works Committee.
The motion carried snanimously.
Letter from Mrs. Judy Berg of the Library Committee of
Escondido School PTA concerning public library facilities.
Councilman Cooley moved, and it was duly seconded, that
the letter be filed. The motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Y3eahr3, that the Council
meeting be adjourned. The motion carried unanimously.
Council adjourned at 10:48 p.m.
ATTEST:
044kgketric
ie-,7C6t
APPROVED:
Vice Mayor