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City Hall, Palo Alto, California,
lftiay 3, 1937
approved.
The Council of the City of Palo' Alto met on this date
at 7-.30 P.I., 'Pursuant to adjournment of April 12, 1937, eith
Mayor Judson presiding. Roll call as follows:
Present: Blois, Bonham, Collins, Judson, Kitchell, gosh 2r
Salsman, Stephens, Molts.
AI!sent: Costello, Goddard, Richards, Thomas, Wood.
The minutes of the meeting of April 12, 193?, were
of..'treordinance calling a municipal election to be held on
Tuesday, May 11, 1937, for the -purpose of electing five
councilmen asmembers of the Council of, the City of Palo Alto,
all to serve for the term of six years from July 1, 1937.
A certificate was submitted by the City Clerk
certifying that the following candidates have been nominated
by petition, in accordance with the city ordinances, for the
office of Councilman: Bdwerd P. Cashel, Clark 'cypher,
H. Judson, George Liddicoat, Alfred R. Masters, Frances
Merrier, Raup Miller, J. e. Iiitchell, W. A. Reed and fl:.C.Thoits.
Ordinance No. 708, providing for a municipal election
for the purpose of electing five councilmen, was read, and
on ` motion' of Col;ins and Mosher, was adopted by unanimous vote
on roll call.
Ordinance Prpvidink for Election of Councilmen
The special order of the day was the consideration
Councilmen Goddard and Thomas came at 7:45 p.m. and
werepresent during the rest of the meeting.
Hearing on Rezoning Portion of Embarcadero Annex
This was the time set for a hearing upon the
recommendation of the Planning Commission to rezone all that
portion of Embarcadero Annex lying between Louis Road and
Middlefield. Road from Agricultural zone to First Residential
zone. The Council was informed that notices of this neerine
had been sent to each property owner in the zone of interest,
and that .a notice had also been published, as required by
ordinance, in the Palo Alto Times.
A letter was received from Mr. and airs. Thomas
WarrioreMrs.. dbel Dorr and Pius. Clara 0. Griffin, property
owners affected, expressing their approval of the proposed
change of zone.
Opportunity was given to members of the audience to
speak on this matter. Those who addressed the Council %ere
Mr. Frank Gibson, Mrs. Joseph Manning, Mrs. J. Grierson and
Der.. J. W. Ledden, all being in favor of the proposed change of
zone.
Ordinance No. 709, c.nan;ing the portion of
Embarcadero Annex between Louis Road and Middlefield Road fros
Agricultural Zone to First Residential Zone; was read and
discussed. On motion of Mosher and Mitchell, this ordinance
was `;adopted as an emergency ordinance by unanimous vote on
roll call.
appi
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Avent
Zone.
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and t
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were p
and res
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strike
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Mosher,'
ted
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es •
Thoits.
iectioxi
nd
vote
as_
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sed
earing on A6PlicatiOntfor hezonin t in Block 4�
This was also the time set fora hearing upon the
application of the =Ward ,Investment Company to rezone .Lots
48 and 49, block :42 on. Middlefield Road between university -
Avenue and Hamilton .:venue,:. from First to second k.esidential
Zone. The Council Ryas .-advised that notices of this hearing
nad been sexist to 'each- property owner in the zone of interest,
and that a notice had ai'so been published in the Palo Alto
Times.
A report Was received from the Planning Commission
on this matter recommending that the request for change of
zone be denied.
A letter was received from 0. Imbornone, a property
owner on Middlefield Road in,Block 50, approving the change
of zone requested':. .A communication was read from . A.
Mendenhall and nine: other: property owners on Middlefield Road,
protesting against the, proposed change of zone.
The Chairman of the planning Commission addressed
the Council explaining that the Commission had made.its
recommendation to. deny. the request because it is opposed to
spot zoning on general. principles.
After discussion, it was moved by Mosher, seconded
by Stephens,, and carried, that..the recommendation of the
Planning Commission be approved and the request for this change
of zone be denied.
Councilmen Costello and Wood came at 8:00 P.M., and
were present during the rest of the meeting.
Petition to Strike Names from Initiative Petition
re Soliciting and Peddling
A petition was submitted by twenty-one local merchants
and residents, who previously signed the petition presented to
the Council on April 2th in favor of the initiative ordinance
restricting soliciting and peddling, asking the Council to
strike their names from the original petition and declaring
themselves against said petition. The Attorney advised that
it was not legally possib e; to take any names off the original
petition and that the :election already called for the purpose
of submitting this initiative ordinance to the voters must
proceed.
Letter z rora Specialty Salesman agazine
A communication was received from H. J. .bligh,.
Lc i for of the Specialty .Salesman Magazine and sponsor of the
Direct Selling Legion, which has many members in Salo Alto,
enclosing a copy of letter sent to the Merchants Association
setting forth objections to the initiative initiative ordinance
restricting peddling and soliciting. This was placed on file.
Letter :ram S.P.A. I.marove:nent Club r:.'- Flood Control
A letter was, received_ from the South Palo Alto
I provemeut:. C-„ub concerning' damages to property caused by flood
coldi.t_ions_,.. and requesting,consideration ofmeasures for flood
contro:l,., also asking that' -a repr.ese.rztative of the Engineering
Department attend: -the next meeting of the Club on Friday*
:day 14th, to advise them as, to what progress is being mace i n
the matter of flood= control.'
Ti.is was referred to t'he. Board of Public Works with
request that the Board report ,back to the Council on this matter.
41,0 -
Communication from City Attorney re National B
anka.n,� -c
A communication from the City Attorney relative to
the provisions of the National Banking Act concerning- interest
on public deposits was read and placed on i ile.
Opinion of City Attorney on Claims for Damages
A communication was received from the City Attorney
relating to claims from Sam W. Hills and Frank R. dills
for damages to their property as a result of the flooding
of their, premises during the rainy season, recommending that
the claimsbe denied. On motion of Thoits and Mosher, the
recommendation was accepted and the claims were denied.
Utility Accounts of Community Center
Letter from 0 'teen irate Exeosition re Jlssembly eeill 252
evis:
A letter to the Mayor from the Department of
Governmental Participation of the Golden Gate Internaticnal
Exposition was . received, requesting the Council to pass a advisi
resolution endorsing Assembly Bill Ao. 252 now before the reques
legislature, which provides for an appropriation of A - author.
Calif o.
for "a State exhibit at the Exposition and. 00
for a Ca.��.'�4i'tl5,{Jia ^
' xsi. `
Building,, which will be the "host building" of the Exposition. applic�
On motion of Thomas anc . Mitchell, this was placed on file. Board 1
Council
No. 1 r
Council
Public V
r
.tte�r7r.2i.,
Aito, Ce
was appr.
PLr
on Harr. o
. developm(
buildini;!
A letter was received from the Community Center a report,
Commission'' concerning utility accounts, and requesting that the pure,
4115.00 be transferred from Account 630-13 to Account 821-13, provisicn
and; that $365.00 ; be appropriated to take care of the expected persons
i theatre
overdra.� t in Account 820-13. thheatre b
that this
A report was received on this matter from Committee turns out
reconsice
No. 4, recommending. that the transfer of ``115.00 from' Account '
X30--13 to Account" 821-13 be authorized, and that the sum of
4365.00 be appropriated from the unappropriated balance %hen it a
take care of t. e overdraft in Account 820-13. un motion of rx14q
Mitchell and Mosher, the �� and was t
a recommendation wasapprovedand
unanimous votethe transfer and appropriation of funds authorized, by developme,
theatre,
on roll call. ?
dustment in Employment Service Budget
problem _
A communication was received from the Community Center Center gr
` pubic
Commission concerning the operation of the Employment bureau school and requesting the following adjustment to the bm to yment hoof jpr
j
Service '"budget • p Y On M1ddl e:
a. That the sum. of °120. eommu.��ity
00 be transferred from submitted
Account 625-24 (Rental) to Account 825-01
(Salaries), for the purpose of employing a and exit
southeast
temporary assistant in the Employment bureau
for . the period from May 19th to June 28th.
b. That thesum of 455.00 be appropriated to
Account 825-99 (Capital Expenditure) for
equipment.
A report was received on this matter from Committee
No. 4 recommending the transfer of 4120.00 0.00 from Account 225-24
,to Account 825-01 as requested, end that the sum of $55.00 be
appropriated= to Account 825-99, this to be taken from the in,
g
eunappro ria-ted- balance. On motion of Mosher and Blois. tos `n+ on
the recommendation was approved and the transfer and `�eC''io-
appropriation of funds authorized, by unanimous vote on roil
cal'A
was reques
area for p
site sou..
tine Mann,
?..=vision in Improvement Plans'. No. 51, Pie Locket 14n --D
A report was recei d. from the Board. of Public ;corks
advising the Council that the Board has passed a resolution
requesting revision of Improvement Flans i)o. 5i, P.W.A. locket
California 1473-D, Street Improvement, City of Palo alto, and
authorizing the City Engineer to ,submit a formal change order
application setting forth :the revisions in said plans. The
Board transmitted :this resolution to the Council for the.
Council's approval..
A report was received on this matter from Committee
No. s. recommending that the resolution be approved by the
Council.
The resolution entitled "Resolution of the Board of
Public Works Requesting Revision of Improvement =Tans igo. 51,
P. t°'. k. ,. Docket Calif.:1473-D, Street . Improvement, City of Palo
rito, Calif.," .wasread, and on motion of Thomas and Thoits,
was approved by the Council ; by unanimous vote on roll call.
Parking Area at Community Center
Referring to the petition from certain property owners
on Harriet Street and on Hopkins Avenue, protesting against the
development of a parsing area in the rear of the community Center
buildings, facing Harriet Street, the Board of Works submitted
a report recommending that the protestants be advised that it is
the purpose of the Board toexpeiwent in making temporary
provision for parking of cars at the rear of the theatre for those
persons who customarily secure access to the rear of the
theatre' by parking on Harriet Street and on :iopkins Avenue;
that this is to be regarded as a temporary measure, and if it'
turns out to be narmfui . to adjoining property the matter can be
reconsidered at a later hate. The Mayor stated that he
!'lad aiscussed this matter withe some of the pro testants, and that
ben it was explained to them that this parking area facing
Harriet Street was to "be regarded as a temporary measure,
and was to be used chiefly by the employees and staff of the
theatre, they a avi,sed that they would have no objection to its
deveeopment.
Councilman Mitchell called attention to the parking
probiem at the Community Center and expressed the opinion that
a public parking puce should be established on the Community '
Center grounds between the Community Center bui .dings and: the
sc col property, in order to relieve the parking situation
on lidalefield Road and other streets in the vicinity of the
,:o: unity Center. The Mayor referred to a plan previously
submitted by the Planning Commission for a parking area
southeasterly from the Community Center buildings with entrance
and exit on Middlefield Road.
On motion of Mitchell and ;kosher, the Board of Works
v.as requested to reconsider ' the establishment of a parking
area for patrons of the Community Center, to be located on a
site southeasterly from the buildings as previously approved by
the Planning Commission.:
.sae nament to Sec. 4402 of Building Code
A report was received from the Board of k)rks recommend -
ins the adoption of an ordinance adding the f oilowing paragraph
:0 Section 4402 of the.Building Code:
Sec. 4402 (f) Where signs are permitted for minor
businesses in the Third Residential Listrict, such
signs shall be restricted to four square feet in
area and may be of wood or metal. Signs must not
project over the property lane and only one sign shall
be permitted for each 50 -foot lot - or parcel o.f land."
proposedordinance adding Subsection (F) ,to section
4402 of the Building Code was given first reading and referred
to Committee No. 1.
Projects for P•ubli.c Baila ing ana Remodeling i t aay�
importwasreceived from the Board of works request-
ing the =Council to allocate the sum of 425, 630.00 for the Cityt s
share of the cost of the proposed public works building in the
event this project is approved ana government aid is made
available. The Council was informed that a definite allocation
is required before the project will be considered by PIMA
authorities.
A report was received on this matter from Committee
No.- 4, recommending the adoption of a resolution authorizing
the - Auditor - to certify to the PWA authorities that the City of
Palo Alto has on hand sufficient unencumbered funds, as
required in the .PWA application on the project for a new public
works building, :in a sum not to exceed $25,630.00. It was
pointed out that the approval of such a resolution would not be
a direct ailocation of funds, but simply .advises the ?V -A
authorities that the City has unencumbered funds -which may be
used for this purpose.
Resolution No. 1139, authorizing the r:uditor to <;;
certify to the PWA authorities that the City has on hand
sufficient, unencumbered funds, as required. in the PWA application
on the project; for a new public worksbuilding, in a sum not to that tr
exceed $25,630r00, was read, and on motion of Thomas and Tnoits, closi_nt
was, adopted by unanimous vote on roil call. an:: .S ci
Inc Board of Works in its report also advised that the
sum of $31630.00 will be necessary as the Cityts share of the
cost of remodeling the present city hall for,the use of other
departments, and suggested that this amount be allocated for
this purpose if it is the desire of the Council to remodel the
present building in accordance with the plan recently submitted.
Resolution No. 1140, authorizing the Auditor to
certify to the PWA authorities that the City has on eland
that t
provis
and .
the Le'
aaopte
these
passed
sufficient unencumbered funds, as required: in the PWA appiica tio::
on the project for remodeling the city ,nail,, in a sum not to
exceed $3,630.00, was read, and on motion of Thoits and l homas,
was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.
Opening of Nevada Avenue and .xtenSion of "'ass° dire et
?rovis:
and la,
under
ana T:::
of Fo:i
anc Gel
was ad(
of i'n':t
on Fri(
objec•:J
inclu.ai
ac,o ctec
for it.u.
amendir
as reco
f ur t e r
lrr
A report was received from the - Planning Commission that t
utility
Warrior and Ctrs. label Dorr that Nevada Avenue be opened, graded
recommending (a) that the request of Mr. and sirs. Thomas
C!1�01
and oiled between ALiddlefield Road and Louis Road, and a resca_
(b) that the application of J. U. and A. A. ae noco to extend anani m„
Tasso Street trough their property from Marion Avenue to the �e
Canal, be granted, provided agreements for utility and street
improvements, are mutually agreed upon, and that proper deeds of
dedication are given by the property owners. This matter wasreferred to''the Board of Public W and 'Co:ai ..ttee i o. 1. that
Comm t
Termination of Agreement for Pedestrian .c ub av reco e:
aissoly,
these c(
A report was received from Committee No. 1 recommend
that the agreement terminating the former agreement with the
Southern Pacific Company relative to the pedestrian subway at
E.mbarcadero Road, as of February 20, 1936, beapprovec:, and
tee
the ;mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute this termirla-
tion- agreement. On motion of Thoits and Goddard, this report
was approved and the Mayor and City Clerk were authorized to
execute the agreement
quest-
CityAs
the
cation
-tee
ng
y of
i bl lc
s
of be
Improvements in Lewis Subdivision
A report was received from Committee Ao. 1 recommending
that the resolution overruling the limitation of assessment
provisions of the:. Special Assessment Investigation, Limitation
and Majority Protest Act relative to improvements to be made in
L,he Lewis Subdivision under Improvement Plans io. 53, be
adopted, and that a resolution of intention to proceed with
these improvements under the 1911 Street Improvement pct be.
passed.
Resolution No. 1141, overruling Limitation of Assessmen'
r o;iisions of the Special Assessment Investigation, Limitation
and Majority . Protest Act relative to Improvements to be made
under Improvement Plans No. 53, was road, and on motion of Thoits
and Thomas, was adopted by unanimous vote on roil call.
Resolution of Intention No. 1142, for the improvement
of Forest Avenue,, Pitman Avenue, Martin Avenue, Lincoln Avenue
and Center Street ' was` read,'; and on motion of" . Iosher ana shoits
gas adopted by unanimous vote on roil call. This resolution
of intention provides for a hearing to be held by the Council
on Friday, May 21, 1937, at 7:30 P. M. at which time any
objections to the ;"proposed work and improvement may be made.
Closing Pathway in. Seale Subdivision No. 8
A report was received .from Committee No. 1 recommending
that the recommendation.of the Planning' Co mission for the
closing of the ten -foot pathway lying between Blocks 75 and 76
ana Blocks , 77 and 78, Seale Subdivision £' o. 8, be approved.
Resolution of Intention No. 1143 to close the pathway
between Middlefield Road and Webster Street in blocks 75 to 78,
inclusive, was read, and on motion of Thoits and Lodaard, was
ado_ ted by unanimous vote on roll call.
Proposed Amendments to 2.onin ; 0raiaa.nce
A report was received from Committee -"o. 1 asking
for further time for the consideration of the proposed ordinance
mending Sections 1000, 1002 and 1004 of the Loring ordinance,
as recommended by the Planning Commission. his request for
further time was granted.
Grant of Easement for Utility xaciities
A report was received from Committee Ao. 1 recommending
treat the grant f of easement from the Board of Education for
utility purposes, covering property on the new Junior digh
5c.ioo1 site, be accepted. On motion of Goddard and x`hoits,
a resolutionaccepting this grant of easement was passed by
unanimous vote on roll call.
Veterans Building wommiSsion
A report was received from (-o. .rittee Leo. 3 recommending
that the Veterans building 'ommission be not dissolved.
Committee No. 1 submitted a report concurring in this
recommendation of -Committee No. 3 that the Ceommission be not
dissolved. On motion of Mosher and litchell, the reports of
trese committees were accepted.
410:
Request of Women's Service League for Aoprooriation
At, its request, Committee No. 3 was. granted further t
in;: which to consider t:he request of the Women° s Service League
for a contribution of $25.00 a month.
ATTEST.
On. motion of Thoits and Mosher, the Council adjourned.
ity: Clerk.
APPROVED
nc
A
a pprc-,r
Secre
Muniei:
Divi.1c
Co nc i.
meetin,
reservi
of the
r+nnuaI
June
LE
Jr
C:�airmz
Club,
and u:g
Park is
and scr
to surr
Middlef
placed
to use "
the b E!:
of El
and to
pave:men
to CoIL
Council
adQr e,
r4as aut:
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