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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12091940er that, the term i ned', • blem_coUId eight =Boot t:ure:stare , the mandaMus ostponed g ' can .'be try of the: • to _ weak y that the of a3" over: uld be t. r, Mitchell e fact that: us meet e Purity i? . The no jury s-: i ew of the to ; prevent: r� action 1aas Eg:c_neering that the in a boviing t from such ard of Safety City :Hall, : Palo - Alta, California, December 9,:1940. The Council Of the City of Palo Alto met in regular session one this date at 7:30 P.M. ,with Mayor Blois presiding. Roll call as follows; Present: Bentrott, `_:Blois, >Cashel, Costello, Cypher, Hoy, Mrs. Merrier; Mitchell, Molts, Thomas, Wood. Absent: Goddard, Reed, Richards, Southwood. The minutes of, the: meetings of November 12 and 15, 1940, were approved. Petition= from Veterans_f Welfare Board A. petition was received from the Veterans' Welfare Board for the cancellation of the second installment of taxes on part of `Logs 7 and 8, . Block 32, Seale Addition No. 2, deeded to the Veterans' Weif'are Board on September 6, 1940. This was referred to Committee No. Stanford Fifty -.Year Celebration A letter was received from Joseph F. Donovan, Temporary Chairman of the Mayor's Committee for the Stanford -Palo Alto Fifty -/ear Celebration, requesting that the sum of $2,500.00, set aside in the budget in the Fifty -Year Celebration Fund, be approved for..the purchase of blank paper fro the Cr own- Zeilerbach Paper Company `This paper (newsprint and: gravure). w .1 be :used for. the printing of, 33,000 copies of the special anniversary edition of the Palo Alto Times. The committee reported that, estimates on postage and other expenditures will be presented at the -January meeting of the Council. A report ;a .s:' submitted by Committee No. 4+ recommending that an expenditure of $2,500.00 be authorized from the° Stanford Fifty -Year Celebration Fund set 'up in the budget, for the purchase' of paper to be used for the printing of the special edition of the ` Palo Alto Times On motion of Mitchell and Bentrott, the recommendation' of Committee . No. 4 was adopted and the expenditure authorized by unanimous vote on roll: call tension .of Business -Z Zone on University Avenue The proposed ordinance rezoning portions of Blocks 37, 38,, 42 and, 43, on University Avenue from -Cowper Street to Middlefield :Road , to "Business, District, Zone D-1, was presented for second reading. Councilman Cypher moved that an amendment be made to, this ordinance to provide for the extension of the: business zone to Byron Street instead:. of Middlefield.` Road, and made the suggestion that the: City acquire the property.:"between Byron Street and Middlefield > Road for: -the. ;creation of a park to serve as. a buffer between. -the business district and the residential district on University Avenue, or if that is impossible that the property between Byron :Street and .Middlefield Road be rezoned to second or third' residential: district. The motion to amend. the ordinance as proposed by 'Councilman Cypher was seconded by Councilman Thomas, The (1ty ;Attorney advised that the proposed change is too great to be properly considered as an amended ordinance, . but should be considered as a new ordinance introduced atthis time for ,first reading: The amendment has then withdrawn" and a new ordinance introduced by Councilman Cypher, providing for the rezoning of the: property on Un .versity. " Avenue .from Cowper Street to Byron Street,,; on the :southeast.eriy side of University Avenue .and to 's the outhwesterly:line of the school piroperty on .the north- westerly s:ide,,. to• 3usiness D.istrlct,` Zone 1)-1. This proposed ordinance s va, given, first reading, .The 'City Attorney advised that in his opinion it would 'not :,be necessary to have, another public: hearing upon the new ordina nce,... since .the: urea' involved is within the distr"i.ct covered by the original ;ordiianc e. , On .motion of good and Thomas, consideration of the original, ordinance providing' for thee.. extension of the business district to Middlefield Road was postponed until the regular January. meetingof the Council. The opinion was expressed by Councilman :Thoits that any extension: of the business zone should be made only after provision has been made for alleys in the blocks affected, and for parking area's and the creation "of a huf f e "zone. Reference was Made -by Councilman Thomas to plans now beng . prepared. by the Planning Commission for an alley system to s'erv'ethe. blocks`. under consideration, as well as the entire bias nees district, `whichwill be included in the Master Plan now under' preparation.. The City'Attorney was requested to report $.t the January meeting ing as to whetter; : the open f ng of' alleys at some 'f tore date' could 'be, assured if they were shown on the Master Ptah and if the City would be protected under the Master Plan Aet ''against the development of stores , which would prevent future alleys. On ,motion of Thoits and Eby, Comtte.e No. 1 and the. Planning Coxm issi;an :were, requested to consult o n. the alley problem in toe' entire business _dist,rict Tkxe r eadt g of. communications from the Palo Alto Residents' Cub Florence:0. Davis and Klorine O'Shea concerning the extension of . the business district on University Avenue was, ,deferred until the .next. meeting. (Councilman Wood left at this time, 8:00 P.M., and was absent during the rest of the meeting.) Street: Plan for South Oregon Tract Delinquent Assessments Certificates of sale covering properties delinquent in the payment of assessments in connection with the opening, widening andclosing of streets In the South Oregon •Tract, were submitted by the Street Superintendent. These properties were soldto the City of Palo Alto on December 6, 1940, and in accordance with law the City as purchaser will be entitled to t'deed tc said properties on December 6, 1941, unless they are redeemedprior to that date. A report was received from Committee No. 4 r eeommending that the sum. of $296.59 be appropriated from the Contingent Fund for' the p ,ynent of delinquent assessments in connection with the opening, widening and closing of streets in the South Oregon Tract, and that the City Treasurer be directed to' place this size In the special fund for this improvement. Commi... J ' a tc and Tr amount: proper; This lE and Cor that as, refund a No. 5 x payment approve° roll ca was req keer.,ing possibi or othe Re resi.gna Januar,,� accepts resol :zt long Du Bennett service Recreat matter playing r pro,Dlem This ma have de final r Further for con Re that -a previou and tha documen ifi 0t. ° of ova . cif Mitchell arid Molts, the recommendation of Commiittee .No, . wss .:.adopted. by unanimous vote on roll :call. A;d)ustment.: on • Lost C :eanin Charges A• letter was received from the California Pacific Title and" Trust Co any',requestj.n the Council to cancel weed liens amounting to appearing:en 1940 - tax bills �0-�2� ��p�'x'f �41 C<3Yt',r3 properties in the E r't.1eYTract now owned by Antonio D t.?mico, This letter had beorz referred by the Mayor to the Board of Works and Committee `No. 5. A report wasreceived from. ° the Board of Works > recommendi that an adjustment be made on these refunding lot -c1Esr�;ir°,, charges by 8 . one-half' of the amount of the lien($48.41). Committee No. recommended. that this adjustment' ' b.+EB ;rnaf e and that the payment of $48.41 be :zna,de from the , Contingent Fund. On motion of Molts and Hoy, `the recommendation .was approved and the appropriation authorized by unanimous vote on roll call. At the suggestion of Councilman Cashel, Committee No. was requested to consider a. .change in ; the system used ` for the keeping of ; .ot cleaning records, so that there would be no possibility of liens .being overlooked by title company searchers or other interested: parties nation of Mr Mason from Librar Board. A letter,. ;vas received from R A. Mason tendering his January 13, resignation as a. member .of the 'Library :Board, to take effect 1941. On motion::: of ,Mitchell and Cypher, the resignation was accented, and Councilman :Thomas�' "way,srequested resolution �� for the Council ex � sae es to prepare a P - : a.px►ec#ati on for fir. Mason's public service, .ieeommMunication from Mrs. Marjorie , p Bennett, .mDembers of the Library Board, nCathcart ng Mr. Mason's . M. M. K. services t;o the;L1bra Mason s ry was received. and ;laced on file: (Counr. i:lman Richards came at t Zi.s time, 8:15. P.M.. and was :present .thirtrig the rest of the meeting. Lighti�' of° B&.seball. �,F�e�e ' A, letter- was .received' from. the Community U ity Center and RecreationeCommission s.tati natter of.,.,,. � that they .Nave, considered the lighting the El Camino Park base play-ing. .hard baseball, but.:feel that i u he sstud for dy of Lnthe night problem is .:necessary before. a recommendation can be. made. e This matter is also. before Committees W=ave de:ferred No. 1 and No.. 3., which making ..recommen,�ations , to the °Council pending a final report. from the. CoznAinity .Center and Recreation Commission. Further. time, was?: grained to :'the Commission anal, the committees for consideration 'and report' -or this matter. (Councilman (Counci jn Costello' left at this time, 8.20 P.M. and vas absent during the rest of the meeting.)' Relearn fro Fear Blum... A sport . was received frost Committee No. 1 recorn endi that: Via: 'release from Jean. Blum: covering.. a.: n8 previously leased to: the: Coast Printing . on ion of the ground .; and that the Mayor. and City Clerk be authorized tto execion be ute accepted document for the City. h�i s motion. of .Tbozas and Bentrott, the report was approved anc a :resolution. authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to -execute .this'*re%ease 'was - passed by unanimous vote on rca1 ea . Lease with Red Cross -A:report. was received from the Board: of Works reccmm d1:ng the ,approval and execution, of the : lease 'with the ?aIe A ti5.' Cbspter -`of . the •American Red Cross: for a site adjacent toto.' e: Axe 2:: Shelter. In this connection, . a letter vas received from:, Stanford' University, stating that the University has no objecti n to the .provision in the lease that the Red Cross may re i6ve': `any bui;3di.n& and structur, es -constructed .on the property upon' the:-terri1Aation of the lease. ' .Cbrunittee ,No. 1 'recommended: that the lease be approved and: execut'e-d, with the inclusion of a condition In the lease to: provide; that the Red Cross shall improve • and use the property fOr'-•tbe purposes, intended within a period of two years, ot2 erw se the 'City zn y,at its option,terminate the lease. The lease, with the amendment :recommended by Committee No 1; Was presented and explained : by the City Attorney. 4r motion of Thoits and Bentrott, a resolution auhorFlzi ': `the Mayor and City Clerk to execute this lease was adopted -ry ,unanimous vote on roll call. can •Refunds A. report' was received from the Board of Works reco e xig that: the :following lot cleaning charges, for lot c1eani -ark done in 1939 and incorrectly placed as liens against ,1940-4€1 tax bills, be refunded: .75 to Sam & Inez Tharp - Tax Bill ,?555, Evergreen Park, Block 15/6660 $1.40 to Ur. Milton Saier - Tax Bill #2973, Block 122/3021 $4.40 to R. L. & Sadie Reaves - Tax Bill #'141; Block L/150 -B Committee No. 5 recd nriended that these lot cleaning refunds be allowed as recommended by the Board of Works, the amounts to be taken from the Contingent lowid. On motion of Richards and Tholts, the recommendation of the committee was adopted and the refunds were allowed, by unanimous Vote ' on roll call. Extension of Water Mains A report wa.s received from the Board of Works trans- m:itting.Bulletin 'No. 51'renting to the estimated cost of the ext=ension of :: water mains to the south of the city. limits to furnish` wate,r: servi;;ce to' the Monroe, Tract and other areas, with a statezxzent :as ':;to the . probable revenues . The' Board requested. that fuxid . be provided to install the extensions and improvements suggested, at an'early date. Committee No. 1 recommended that the proposed extension of ,water mains be, approved and . that the necessary funds for ':this work .be appropriated. Committee No. 4 recommended that an appropriation of $7,500.00 be made from the unappropriated' balance to the Board of Works for the purpose of extending water • main lone Real subm on r were ing the City in c< Ne. appr: C1erl aotit rec o!i 3.803 under Ala provi 1804 refe ing f. 0rdi• • to b Comm{ that Cl in r the the . i ilk to mains south of ,the city `:limits to furnish water service to she Monroe Tract and. to 'construct a connecting link cn El . Camino Real from Acacia to Margarita . Avenues, in accordance with plans submitted in Bulletin 51. On motion of Mitchell. and Thomas, and by unanimous vote on : roll call, the recommendations of Committees No. 1 and No. 4 were adopted and the appropriation was authorized. Untversity Avenue Underpass A report was received from the Board of Works recommend- ing for approval and . execution' a supplemental agreement between the Southern Pacific Company, the State of California and the City. of Palo Alto defining : the location of the storm water drain. in connection with the University Aven d underpass.: Committee No. ] also recommended " that this supplemental < agreement be approved and executed. Resolution No. °1300 aut aorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to .: execzte .this ;supplemental agreement, eras read and on motion of Trews and Bentrott, was adopted byyunanimous vote on • ions A nreport was received 'from : t.'" e.: Boa 'd of Safety recommending for ":adoption an ordinance 'amending Sections 1802, 1803„ and180 `: of- Codified' ordinanee To. :4'.to permit persons under the age,=of eighteen to patronize a. bowling. alley- or: tel be employed . by she.: owners, manager or agent -of a bowling provlded.:such`: persons 'have permits from their parents`.: A `' proposed 'ordinance:amending , Sections 1802, 1803`7and 1804 'of Codified Ordinance No. 4 ways given first residing :. -and referred to 0ommittee No, 2 Bicycle Riding A report was received from the Board of Safety':recommendt i:ng for, adoption an ordinance :amending Section 2324 of Codified Ordinance No. 4 to read as follows "Section '.2324. . DoUble Riding on Bicycles Prohibited. It shall oe unlawful for the operator of a bicycle, when upon a public aright of way, to carry any other person -upon said bicycle, provided, however., that this -prohibt1on shall not apply to bicycles which are< bu :t for two persons to ride and propel the same • �� . This proposed ordinance amehding Section 2324, relative to bicycle- riding was given first reading and referred to Concnittee No, 2, illmminated Street Signs A report was :received • From; the Board of Safety stating that .it has 'taken - no :action on the suggestion .made by M. Pamelis Clough regarding :the. installation of illuminated street elves' in Palo Alto, as the Board feels that it has no jurisdiction over the installation of 'street :s;.gns. The matter was referred to the Board of Works and ' Committee No. 1. Traffic S%s1s A report vas received from the Board. of Safety recommend ing, in connection with its action of June 3, 1940, recommending the installation of "stop and go" s1gnals on University Avenue, hat -,adequate signals be considered; for Florence and Kip1i - Streets. Reference was made to the Council's action on .Tune 27, 191.0, when it . approved a recommendation of Committee No. 2 that action on the -recommendation of , the Board of Safety for the, installation of "stop and go" signals on University Avenue be deferred until after the underpass is , completed. On motion of Thoits, it vas, directed that consideration of the Board's recommendation for the installation of signals at Florence and Kipling Streets be deferred for consideration at. the same time the original recommendation is acted upon. Openir�;g, Street in Block 1, Seale Sub. No. 6 reportwas submitted by the Planning Commission recommending::that a street be opened in B1ook.1, Seale Subdivision No. 6, from Tasso Street to Middlefield Road. This v'as referred to Cormzzittee. No. 1. The Planning Commission reported that the suggestion made by Mrs. Stanley Forbes that the City buy sufficient land to make a ,small park to serve as a buffer between the business zone_;and the residential zone on University Avenue is under consideration. Alleys inn Busi.ness'.Di.str'.ct Committee No. 1 reported progress on its study of the business district. y -rove nent.,,`.of .Alma Str,, eet 1'n regard to t'he proposed improvement of Alma Street from Matadero, Creek to Page Mill Road, Committee No. 1 informed the Council that .a request has been made by the Board of Works. to the. Boardof ;Supervisors that funds for the improvement of this .portion of -Alma Street be included in the county budget for next year; that it is understood that, if the City will construct : a retaining wall along Alma. Street from the Southern Pacifi;;c- tadero Creek bridge to the Alma Street-Matadero Creek bridge-, the County will budget sufficient funds to take care of the ,improvement of Alma Street next year. The committee. repprtedo ,that it has requested the. Board of Works to investigate the possibility of financing the cost of the retaining wall as, a WPA' projeot Coiinnittee No. 4 recommended that an appropriation of $34500.00 be;made from the Contingent Fund to the Board .of Works :for the purpose of constructing a retaining wall on A Street .for a distance of 170 feet southeasterly from the Southern Pacific bridgetoward the Aliina Street bridge over Matadero Creek. This sum is to cover the :,purchaseof materials, the labor for the work to be furnished by the WPA. On ,motion of Mitchell and Richards- the recozmnerdatior_. of Committee . No. 4 was adopted by unanimous: vote on roll call. Flagpole A report was received from''Committee No. 4 recommending that $500..00 be appropriated from the Contingent Fund- for the purpose of re --settings the large flagpole in front of the Veterans' ,Building,►and moving the .small flagpole .now in front of tbe Veterans' -Building to the City Hall Park:Las;:requested by the United' Veterans' C ounc is l . Commit by une R, Depart] month, i.� concern on For to the to the C: on _ adv: Ort-nan $26,13 the re DBE that Octobe:c properi` on adv accept the prc, have ax Co3mzitt St introd% and Con Ts of Cyp such pa suits C Pa that en grantin Departn as reco l j. v oi1l.^..,� t LMa vote 071 treet 'D'ormed Works tor •=et - thern Creek care of e estigate 11 On .motion of Mitchel/ and Roy, the recommendation of Committee . No. 4 Ira ' . approvedand the appropriation authorized by:unanimous vote "' n roll <>call. Reports '.., of . CIff icaas The reports of the Department of Public 'Works, the Department'. or Public Safety, the .Auditor and Treasurer for the month: of November, 1940, vere received and placed on file. • Letter from Miss Needles on Lot Cleaning .A. letter. ;vas received from Miss C. Blanche Needles concerning lot_.: cleaning ,charges on her property in Block 10, • on Forest Avenue. Letv-0een Emerson and Ramona Streets,, Coxmnittee No.: 5 recozrimended that this letter be :referred to. the Board of Works for a reply to Miss Needles and a report to -.the Council ff 'The ::matter vas so referred., Claim for Da es A report' was -_°ireeeived from _Committee No. 5 reco imending on;.advice .of the City 'A:tterneyy, that the claim of Norman r C. Ortman Jr., for damages for personal injuries inthe .amount of .$26i138-84,,_ denied..:. On motion of 'Molts and .Mrs. ierner, ; be. d salad e': 'Molts the recon nendation; of 0ozmnittee No y oat approved. De:1inquent fiaxes on ' Myrick Property . report . •t4as received from Committee No 5 recommending tnat the offer me:de. by Frank Grist in his communication of October 24th, ;for :a compromise of delinquent tares due on property belonging _.to the. estate of William Myrick be rejected, on .advice of the City Attorney, since the City can not legally accept e. compromise ontaxes; and that steps betaken to sell the property , at a tax sale, at °ahi:ch time the State will have an opportunity to make a :bid on the property. • On motion of Thomas and Thoits, the recommendation of Coumittee No. -5 vas approved. Street: Improvement • Procedure Ordinance The revised •`Street' Improvement Procedure Ordinance vas introduced !or ,first reading. and referred to the Board of Works and Committee No. 1 . Tax. Deeded Lards At the suggestion of the City Attorney, and on motion of Cypher and Mrs-. Merner the Mayor was authorized to execute such papers as are necessary in connection . with the quiet title suits on properties recently purchased from the County. Pay Schedules ': of 'Fire ire and Police - Departments A .i report was received ed from Committee ~tio. 2 recommending that an appropriation of $3,260.00 be made for the purpose of granting increases in the, pay schedules of the Fire and Police Departments for the period January 1, 1941 to June 30, 1941: as : reco;mended by the Board of Safety. This Baas referred to Cozmnittee No. 4. Monthly Bills On motion of Mrs. I!erner and Richards,' and by unanimous vote on roll, cal, ~:the following bills ;wex,e.. approved and warrants authorized in payment of the same:, Bank of America Mayor 3. B.'. Blois City. of Palo Alto S.loonaker.'s ;Printing :House Stanford 'University, Travelers ,Insurance . Co.. • Travelers Insurance Co. 7Jzi erwood Elliott -Fisher Co. Richard `Lucy Pala Alto National Bank Mrs.- Lucile Bassett, R.N. Palo ,"Alto, :] ospital Neilson .& Son 25.00 25.00 11.00 18.70 40.00 75.14 213.24 4.50 30.00 10,0o6'.25 5.10.. 1,657.50 691.44 On motion, of Hoy and Bentrott, . the Counci.3. adjourned, APPROVED The Cou session on this d Roll call as foil Present: Be5:. Hoy Ab sent : Re The mire approved. Protest on .l A lette he Neon sign ere between Cowper illuminated sib the Board of Work Motion Pictu • A coimntU and Recreation Coil a sum not to excel screen for the Chi A reporl that a sum not tot Committee No. 4 rl unappropriated bal Screen. On motif Were adopted and I vote on roll call Orchestra Str A letters Recreation Commit! -'exceed $80.00 be - z stands and one dil Exposition. Committe $80.00 be appropr recommended that 1 unappropriated "ba' On moti< were adopted and I on roll call. Letter from ] A letter Labor's Non-Partii tion a copy of lel Center -and Recreal Commission in bare A copy of the con! This matter vas rt