HomeMy WebLinkAbout09121966347
9/12/66
City !iall
Palo Alto, California
September 12, 1966
The Council of the City of Palo Alto met in regular session on this
date at 7:35 p. m. with Vice Mayor Rus presiding.
Present: Arnold, Beahrs, Comstock, Cooley, Flint, Pearson,
Rohrs, Rus, Sher, Woodward
Absent: Debs (arrived 7:45 p. m. ), Dias, Worthington
Approval of Minutes
Councilman Rohrs moved, seconded by Woodward, to approve the
Minutes of August 29, 1966. The motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing and Report -
fre77ii AOOC-seneet List for Weed Abatement
Vice Mayor Run declared the Hearing open and stated that the
record sho►�1d show that notice of the Hearing and report and
assessment list have been published and posted by the City Clerk
as provided ir. Chapter 32 of the Palo Alto Ninnicipal Code.
Vice Mayor Rus then asked City Manager Morgan to speak. Mr.
Morgan staved that item 1-041-082 - Chester C. Wrenn _ $58. 62
was included i.n the list in error and should be deleted, stating
that otherwise the list is correct.
Vice Mayor Rus then asked the City Clerk if she had received any
written protests, and she replied norm had been received. He
then asked if there was anyone present who w ;shed to 1 heard,
and receiving no reply, declared the Hearing closed.
Councilman Arnold. seconded by Cooley, introduced the following
resolution and moved its adoption:
Resolution 3916 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo A1to Confirming the Report and Assessment
for Weed Abatement."
The motion carried unanimously.
Possible Extension of Bander& Drive
Planning Officer Fourcroy described the situation concerning the
abandonment of Bsndeea Court as approved ay the Planning
C.otnmission, provided the Town Council of Los Altos Hills
is not inte re sted in extending it.
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9/12/66
Councilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Flint, to continue the matter
until additional reports on the subject are available to the Council
from the Town Council of Los Altos Hills and from the Police and
Fire Chiefs of Palo Alto. The motion carried unanimously.
Report of Salary Consultant
Councilman Comstock stated that he believed the report of the
salary consultant should have been on the Agerda under "Reports
of Officials" rather than "Reports of Committees". Vice Mayor
Rus ruled it could be considered immediately under "Reports of
Committees".
Councilman Comstock challenged the ruling of the Chair. The
ruling was reversed by uy how of hands +i.,te.
Counc5.1man Comstock then stated the item should be considered
as the first iten-n under "Reports of City Manager". There being
no objection, the subject was set aside until that part of the
Agenda was before the Council.
Tasso street
City Manager Morgan recommended the three resolutions on the
Agenda relating to Tasso Street be considered together. Council-
man Debs stated that he preferred to consider each resolution
independently.
Tasso Street - Two -Way Street Between Universit and L -tton
Councilman Debs, seconded by Sher, introduced the following
resolution and moved its adoption:
Resolution 3917 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo Alto Amending Resolution 2971 to Make
Tasso Street Between Lytton Avenue and UniversityAvenue —
a Two -Way Street and -Rescinding Resolution 3738.,"
The motion ezie rigid unanimously.
Tasscez:�treet -Two-flour Unmetered Parkicon Fast Side
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Councilman Beahrs, seconded by Comstock, introduced the
following resolution and moved its adoption:
Resolution 3918 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo Alto Amending Resolution 2971 and Amending
Resolution 3856 Establishing Two -Hour Unmetered Parking
on the East Side of Tasso Street Between Lytton and
University Avenue. "
The motion carried unanimously.
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9112166'
Urban Lane and Homer Avenue
Proposed Throujh Streets
Councilman Woodward, seconded by Comstock, introduced the
following resolution and moved its adoption:
Resolution 3919 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo Alto Amending Resolution 2971 Designating
Urban Lane a Through Street at its Intersection with
Wells Avenue and Designating Hornee Avenue a Through
Street at ite Intersection with Urban Lane."
The motion carried unanimously.
Trier Street - Parkint Prohibitions
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Councilman Rohrs, seconded by Beahrs, introduced the following
resolution and moved its adoptions:
Resolution entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of
Palo Alto Amending Resolution 2971 Prohibiting Parki.ng
Along Certain Portions of Taeso Street and Limiting
Perking Along Certain Metered Portions of Lytton Avenue,
Cowper Street and University Avenue."
Following discussion concerning parking time limitations
currently in effect in various parts of the City, Coancilrnan
Pearson moved, seconded by Comstock, an amendment to place
Section 1 of the Resolution under Section 2 and to change the time
limit in Section Z from "24 minutes" to "60 minutes".
Councilman Arnold moved, and it was duly seconded, to refer
the reaolutirc `.o Planning & Procedures Committee so that
interested parties may speak on the subject.
-uotincilenan CCiEnstuek Moved-8econ.ded by pearl:on -an 3emend-
ment that the staff be directed to write to the Committee the
time limits on parking en University and pass on to the Committee
any information they may be able to obtain from the builder in
the relevant block as to his parking plans. The amendment
carried unanimously.
The motion to refer as amended carried unanimously.
Per anit p'ark �Lots -
Councilman Arnold, secomied by 'Rohrs, introduced the following
ordinance and moved its approval for first reading:
Ordinance entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the city of
Palo Alto Amending Section j9. 177. 6 of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code, Modifying Time During Which Non -Permit
Holders are Permitted to Park in Permit Parking Lots. "
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9/12/66
City Attorney Michalski explained that the tine on the parking
permits being issued conflicts with the time indicated in the
Municipal Code for permit parking lots, as the permit indicates
it is valid between 8:00 a. m . and 6:00 p.m., while the Code
allows non -permit holders to park in the lots between 6:00 p. m,
and 9:00 a. m. He stated that since the permits are usually
obtained by people who must be at their jobs between 8:00 and
9:00 a. m. , it is more desirable to change the Code than the
permit time. He recommended the ordinance be adopted so the
police will encounter no difficulties in enforcing the ordinance
relating to non -permit parking in permit lots.
Fallowing discussion,, the motion carried on majority voice vote.
Changing the Zonine of Seven Parcels of Land
Councilman Arnold moved, seconded by Beahrs, the adoption
of the following ordinance!
Ordinance No. 2315 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of
the City of Palo Alto Amending Section 3. 02 of Ordinance
No. 1324, the Zoning Ordinance, Changing the Zoning of
Seven Parcels of Land Owned by the City of Palo Alto and
Che County of Santa Clara to P - F. "
The motion carried unanimously.
Division of Communications
Councilman Arnold shoved, seconded by Beahrs, the adoption of
the following ordinance:
Ordinance No, 2316 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the
C;ty of Palo Alto Adding Section 2.210.6 to the Palo Alto
MuniciPal Code Establishing the Divi —=-__
The motion carried unanimously.
Re ore of Salary Consultant
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Vice Mayor Rus asked City Manager Morgan to introduce the
salary consultant to the Council. City Manager Morgan stated
that Mr. Don Nernetz of Public Administration Service would
4ive an oral report to the Council and also had a written. report
for distribution to members.
Councilman Debs stated he would prefer to read the written
report before hearing from Mr. Nernetz. Discussion followed
concerning the propriety of having Mr. Nemetz make an oral report
before distributing his written one and also concerning whether t}u
Council action in ordering the salary survey indicated that on
the section dealing with city employees the report was to be
presented directly to t:;e Council, or to the City Manager for his
review and then to' the Council.
1
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9/12/66
Councilman Sher stated that he wanted to hear the report; but he
believes the report on city employees was intended . to be presented
to the City Manager before going to Council. Councilman Rohrs
stated that Councilman' Sher's remarks were not relevant to the
matter before the Council and asked for a ruling from the Chair.
Vice Mayor. Rus ruled the remarks were out of order and that
Mr. Nemetz had the floor for his oral report. The ruling was
upheld on show of hands vote.
Councilman Debs repeated his request to have copies of the
written report distributed before hearing from Mr. Nernetz.
Vice Mayor Rus ruled that Mr. Nernetz had the floor, Councilman
De1.s challenged the ruling.
The Chair was upheld on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Arnold, Beahrs, Cooley, Rohrs, Rus, Woodward
Noes: Debs, Flint, Pearson
Abstaining: Cornz.tock, Sher
Mr_ Nernetz then outlined the salary survey prepared by his
organization, including their recoxnrnendations. He then replied
to questions from Councilmen on specific ite?ns covered in the
survey.
Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Beahrs, to refer .the
surrey to the Finance Committee.
Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Debs, an amendment to refer
the survey to the City Manager and let him report to che Finance
Committee which will then report to the Council.
Vice Mayor Rus ruled that the amendment conflicts with the
original notion to refer and is unacceptable. The ruling was
challenged by Councilman Sher and reversed on majority voice
vote.
The amendment carried on majority voice vote.
The motion to refer as amended carried unanimously.
Ccxrncilrnan Arnold moved, seconded by Bea rs, that, since the
report is not concerned with Council -appointed officers, that See Page
part of the survey be referred to the Personnel Liaison 359
Committee just appointed by Mayor Dias whose members are
Councilmen Pearson, Cooley and Worthington and Mayor Dias.
The motion carried on rnajeilty voice vote.
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9/12/66
Storm Drainage Facilities
City Manager Morgan re:erred to his report of September 7
regarding the contract for professional engineering services
with &own and Caldwell for design of storm drainage facilities.
Following ds icussion concerning the cost and desirability of
having standby storm drainage facilities, Councilman Debs
moved, seconded by Comstock, the amend contract as presented
to take care of the design of auxiliary drive pumping stations for
Matadero and Adobe Creek and the Mayer be authorized to -
execute the contract on behalf of the City. The motion carried
on the following 7-4 roll call vote:
Ayes: B-ahrs, Comstock, Deb;., Flint, Pearson; Sher,
r, od wa : d
Noes: Arnold, Cooley, F ohrs, Rus
Councilman Flint then stated he wanted to change his vote to
"No", making the roll call 6- . The motion then ?ailed.
(Seven votes required to approve a contract)
Councilman Rohrs moved, seconded by Beahrs, to approve the
contract as submitted.
.
Councilman Sher mt,vr>i, seconded by Debs, to continue the matter.
The motion to continue carried on majority voice vote.
Abandonment of Cor oration Yard
City Manager Morgan read his report of September 7 concerning
the abandonment of the Corporation Yard, and recommended
the Council consider the feasibility of requesting_ the planning__ ----
Ca:mrrssiori to -study he riAa i r a td to formulate recornmendations
regarding potential land use and zoning.
Councilman Arnold moved, seconded by Cooley, to refer the
matter to the Planning Commission to study the subject and
formulate recommendations on potential land use and zoning,
and to also extend an invitation to the Palo Alto Unified School
District to suggest what possible use for their purposes could
be made of the Corporation Yard.
Councilman Sher asked if Councilman Arnold's motion included
non -municipal as well as municipal uses of the Yard. Council-
man Arnold replied that it did.
Councilman Pearson moved, seconders by Flint, an amendment
to refer the matter to the Public Works Committee for study at
the same time it is before the Planning Commission.
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9/12/66
The amendment carried on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Beahrs, Comstock, Debs, Flint, Pearson, Sher
Noes: Arnold, Cooley; Rohrs, Rus, Woodward
The motion ac amended carried on majority voice vote.
(The Council recessed from 9:40 to 9:55 p. m. )
Clemo Avenue Project 66-7
City Manager Morgan read his report of September 7 concerning
Clemo Avenue Improvements, Project 66-1, and recommended
the Council approve the three resolutions ich would initiate
investigation and special assessment proceedings.
Councilman Beahrs introduced the following resolutions ales
moved their adoption:
Resolution 3921 entitled "A Resolution of Preliminary
Determination Under Division 4 of the Streets and
Highways Code. "
Resolution 3922 entitled "A Resolution Directing Preparation
of Investigation Report Under Division 4 of the Streets and
;iighways Code."
Resolution 3923 entitled "A Resolution of Intention to
Acquire and Construct Improvements. "
City Manager Morgan and City Attorney Michalski replied to
questions from Council members concerning the status of the
street Under discussion .
Mr. Henry Sarnhuceto, who identified himself as the son of
Giacomo Sambuceto, former owner of the property acquired by
the City through errinent domain, asked to speak. He mated See Page
that actually only five months had gone by since his father and 359
Mr. Tan, the other property owner involve i, were able to
prc�eed with the improvements they had indicated to the
Council they would make in October t96 1, not two years as
that date would imply.
Councilman Beahrs° motion to adopt the three resolutions was
duly seconded and carried on majority voice vote, Councilman
Flint dissenting.
Mutual Aid A reernents
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City Manager Morgan referred to his report cf September 7
concerning mutual did agreements between Palo Alto and San
Mateo County and Los Altos. He recommended the agreements
be approved by the Council.
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9/12/66
Councilman Arnold moved, seconded by Beahrs, to approve the
proposed mutual aid agreements and authorize the Mayor to
execute them on behalf of the City. The motion carried unani-
mously.
Claim - Rosendin Electric Co.
City Attorney Michalski described the claim in the amount of
$20, 604. 99 filed against the City for additional costs incurred
in completing the electrical portion of the City's contract
with Bahr and Ledoyan for site development and utility extensions
for the Municipal Service Center. Since the City had no contract
with the claimant, who was a subcor&tractor of Bahr and Ledoyan,
and had not authorized the expenditure, he recommended the
claim be denied.
Councilran Beahrs moved, seconded by Corrsstock, to deny the
claim in it:s entirety. The motion carried unanimously, Council-
man Flint abstaining.
Tax Rate - County Assessed Valuation
City Assessor Marty read his letter to the Council of Aiiguat ."31
regarding the average tax rate based on cnu- y assessed
valuation, and s_atcd t1-1 letter- was in reply to the request for
such inforr,tiation he received from the Council.
Countywide Planning Proposal -
Inter-i.i.v C.ouncai
Councilman Arnold •reported to the Council as their representative
on the Inter -City Council. He stated that the mayors group voted
to send the original proposal on countywide planning back to the
city_council.z an___get `heir opinions on i£.
Councilman Arnold said he had suggested 60 days as a reasonable
time for review by the various councils.
Councilman A -void moved, seconded by Comstock, that the
proposal on countywide planning be referred to the Planning &
Procedure.-- Committee for study and report back to Council.
The motion carried unanimously.
Tasso Street
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City Manager Morgan called attention to the fact that by referring
the proposed resolution concerning time limit parking prohibitions
or Tasso Street to the. Planning & Frocedures Committee and
approving the resolutions concerning Tasso as a two-way street
and allowing two-hour unxnetered parking on the east side, that
the other side of Tasso Street had not been considered which
would result .in a difficult traffic situation. He asked that either
the part of the resolution referring to the southwest aide of
Tasso between University and Lytton be acted upon separately,
or that the other two resolutions relating to Tasso he rescinded.
Councilman Pearson moved that the resolutions relating to
Tasso Street be reconsidered. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
Councilman Pearson moved, seconded by Beahrs, to rescind
the two previously adoped resolutions referring to two-way
traffic and two-hour unmetered parking on Tasso Street
and refer them to the Planning & Procedures Committee to be
considered along with the resolution concerning parking time
limits.
The motion failed on majority voice vote.
Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Arnold, to reconsider the
resolution concerning parking time limits on Tasso Street. The
motion carried by majority voice vote.
Councilman Sher stated he would like .,) move the adoption of
Section 1 and whatever part of Section 2 of the proposed
resolution which is required --to tie-in with the other resolutions
concerning Tasso Street and refer the rest of the resolution
concerning parking time limits to the Planning & Procedures
Committee.
Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Pearson, that only the
part of the proposed resolution referring to prohibiting parking
on the southwesterly side of Tasu ZrreeF between Lytton Avenue
and University Avenue be adopted as a separate resolution
as follows:
Resolution 3920 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo Alto Amending Resolution 2971 Prohibiting
Parking Along Certain Portions of Tasev Street,."
and that the reference,i to time limit parking restrictions on
Taos() Street be referrtA to Planning & Procedures Committee.
The motion carried unanimously.
Trans?ortation Plan - Transportation Policy Co R mittee
Councilman Flint moved that Councilman Cooley, the Council's
representative on the Transportation Policy Committee, report
on action taken on the Transportation Plan sent to the Committee
under "Reports from Officials" at a future Council meeting.
Councilman Cooley stated that no motion was necessary as he
would report as a matter of course as soon as there was another
meeting of the Committee and the matter was discussed, but that
nothing had been done as far as he was aware.
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9/12/66
Re Tonal Sewa e Collection Treatment and Disposal
City Manager Morgan referred to Mayor Dias' letter to the
Council of August 24 concerning regional sewage collection treat-
ment and disposal and suggested that the Council might wish to
set up guidelines for such a program and review the merits of a
coordinated approach.
Councilman Pearson, seconded by Comstock, introduced the
following resolution and moved its adoption:
Resolution 3924 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
C.ty of Palo Alto Requesting County Sponsorship of ari
Intercity Study of Regional Sewerage Collection and
Disposal."
Councilman Flint rnoved, seconded by Comstock, an amendment
See page to insert after "Control Board" in Section 1 and at the end of
359 the last sentea�e in Section 2 the words "and the Santa Clara
Valley Water Conservation anal Flood Control District". The
amendment carried on majority voice vote.
The resolution as amended was adopted unanimously.
Tirne of Filing for Candidates
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Page
359
Councilman Debs moved, Lnd it was duly seconded, that the
section of the Charter and that of the Election Code referring
to time of filing for candidates in municipal elections in
Palo Alto be referred to the Planning & Procedures Committee
for study concerning the conflict in number of days filing
time before an election required of a candidate.
City Attorney Michalski replied to questions by members of
the Council concerning whether or not Y;s sts-
The motion failed on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Comstock, Debs, Flint, Pearson, Sher
Noes: Arnold, Beahrs, Cooley, Rohrs, Rus, Woodward
Service Station - 299 Middlef teld Road
Councilman Reba referred tohis letter of September 6 to City
Manger Morgan and to Mr. Morgan's reply concerning alleged
misinformation given to the Council on the issuance of a
building permit for a service station at 2995 Middlefield Road,
Councilman Arnold moved, seconded by Beahrs, that the
Council authorize the Mayor to write a letter to Gulf Oil Company
respectfully requesting that Cuff reconsider its decision to build
a service station at 2995 Middlefield Road in vie'v of: ( 1) the
petition of protest vigned by 101 residents of the area who
357
9/12/66
consider the station a traffic hazard; (2) the fact that there are
already 14 stations in a three-mile radius of the proposed
station; (3) the fact that the City of Palo Alto General Plan
indicates that the area has been under consideration since 1963
for rezoning to residential use; and (4) the fact that the owner/
operator is a corporation new to Palo Alto - Marketing area and
might be especially concerned with its public relations.
The motion carried unanimously.
Alma Street - Grigin and Destination Study
Councilman Arnold moved, seconded by Rohrs, --to direct
the City staff to undertake an origin and destination study of
traffic on Alrna Street at Charleston, East Meadow! and
Churchill.
Discussion followed as tc, v:hether all four legs of the inter-
sections could be studied and also the methods which might be
used in undertaking such a study.
Councilman Comstock asked if the motion shouldn't include
a deadline and objective. Councilman Arnold stated that he
had no preconceived thoughts as to the cbject of such a study,
hut believed the results should he helpful to the Council in
determining the degree of pos9ilile development of Alcoa Street,
and suggested that a deadline of 90 days would be reasonable,
if acceptable to the staff.
Councilman Arnold moved, and it was duly seconded, a
substitute motion to direct the staff to report back with a
description of a study which might be suggested as a method.
of conducting an origin and destination study. Councilman
Pearson asked if this would include a discussion of possible
costs, and Counc_ilm _n Arno d3 stater that it Aid
Councilman Flint moved, seconded by Ro'rtrs, an amendment to
include the area at Embarcadero and Alma also. The amend-
ment carried unanimously.
Councilman Flint moved, seconded by Beahrs, an amendment
that if it is possible to include it in the study, that it would
include a question regarding the transportation desires of the
motorists questioned. The amendment carried on majority
voice vote.
The motion as amended carried on the follewing roll call vote:
Ayes: Arnold, Beahrs, Comstock, Cooley, Flint,
Pearson, Rohrs, Rus, Woodward
Noes: Deb s, Sher
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9/12/66
Adjournment
See Page
359
Councilman Arnold moved, and it was duly seconded, to adjourn.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Arnold, Beahrs, Cooley, Rohra, Sher, Woodward
Noes: Comstock, Debs, Flint, Pearson, Sher
The Council adjourned at 11:35 p. m.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
Vice Mayor