HomeMy WebLinkAbout05211937City aal.l, Pa1.o Alto, California,
May 21, 193?.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date
at 7:30 P.M., pursuant to adjournment of lay 12, 1937, with
Mayor Judson presiding. Roll call as follows:
Present Blois, Collins, Costello, Judson, Mitchell,
.Mosher„ Sal s.man, Wood.
Absent: Bonham, uodaard, hichards,6tephens,Thoits,Thon;as.
Canvass of Election leetu.r'as
The special order of the day was the canvass of the
returns of the second municipal election held on May 18, 1937,
for the;, purpose of electing one co uncieman to serve for a term
of si e years from and. after July 1, 193?. Councilmen b ois
and Collins were appointed tellers.
The report of the tellers showed that the total vote
cast at this second municipal election was 1312; that 926 votes
had been cast for Edward t'. Cashel. and 886 votes for Alfred a.
,stets.
Ordinance No. 712, declaringthe result of the second
general municipal election held on May 18, 1937, was read, and
on motion of ,:Mosher and Salsman, was adopted by unanimous vote
on =12 call. ; This : -:ordinance declares that Edward 2. Cashel
has been, duly; elected as councilman of the City of Palo Alto to
serve for the term of six years from and after July 1, 1937.
Hearing on Imorovements in Lewis Subdivision (Imot. Plans -,e)
Tciswas the time set for a hearing in connection with
the improvement of Forest Avenue, Pitman Avenue, . artin Avenue,
Lincoln Avenue and Center Street in the Lewis Subdivision,
in accordance with Resolution of Intention, No. 1142, adopted by
the Council on May 3, 1937.
yhe City Clerk} s affidavit of :naiiing notices to all
property owners proposed to be assessed for the proposed
improvement was presented for filing. An affidavit by lineeo A.
Perrott of posting notices of improvement was also place. on :ile.
A certificate of the City Cierk certifying that no
written protests or -":objections of any kind were filed against the
proposed work and improvement was read and placed on file.
Resolution No. 1145, aeciaring that it is the finding
of the Council, that no protests were filed against the work and
improvements to be made Ender Improvement Plans No. 53, has rear,
and on motion of Mitchell and hood, was adopted by unanimous vote
roll call.
Resolution No. 1146, directing the City Engineer to
prepare detailed plans and specifications for the oroposed • work
and improvement to be made under Improvement P1ans No. 53, was
read,and on motion n of `Rood and Collins was passed sed by ;:and nimou3
vote - on roll -Calm. r
Claim. • or George eeiddY coat
e4leommunication was received from, George Liddicoat
presenting a claim' in the amount of $62.5O_ to ray doctor's tills
for tre
stain:&
lllitc ?e
report
::tree t,
the P.La
from F:i
Coancie
in the
for inc
which n
action
on tn: s
mittine
esti. at
erne t�
by tie;
„;.,_ -
eng
1936 .ee.
ebru :ry
rental_ c
for tne
approve
The City
consider
location
paid .e3e;
that the
City Act
Pro
recomme n,
the
P1.A conc..
be reacy
with tie
this rep,
.,e
e-ec Lric
system,
t ectr.ic
r repert
reco� ::.:arc
was ..ue,; i
E:iec trjc
ng
cad,
vote oil
or treatment of his soar who was injured when he fell from a
stairway in the Community Theatre. On motion of Mosher and'
this claim was referred to the City Attorney for
report ana recommendation.
Letter froIn,rnna .1+.snwtz re Cnan e of Lone
A letter was received from Anna L. Shultz, 92i Scott
treet, in regard to her petition presented some time ago to
the Planning Commission for the rezoning of her property
from First Residential to Second Residential Zone. The
Council was advised that the property of ,yirs. Shultz is included
in the district recently recommended by the '! enning Commission,
for inclusion in the Second Residential Zone, a hearing upon
w c _ ryas not yet been held Onmotion of -4itchell and Wood,
action on Mrs. Shultz° ietk;ter was deferred until the hearing
sn this matter has been held. 0
Estimates of Cost ' on Combination Fire Ste tion Drill Tower.
A report was received. from the B oara of Works trans-
hitting bulletin No. 98, dated. May. 5, 1937, relative to
estimates of cost for a .,proposed: combination fire station and
grill touter in the Mayfield District, :.:s recently recommended
ty ihe Board of Safety. This was referred to Committee lo. 1.
el Account of Associated Air Services
A report was received from the Board of Works trans-
:aitp;ing Bulletin No. .98, Page 412 kl937 buiietin); also
le66 Bulletin .4o . 79, Page 3 r9, with Boara of Works minutes of
ebruary 6, 193.6,, June 5. 1936 and v my 6, 1936, relative to
rental charges of $9OO.00 ;owed by the Associated llir Services
for the fiscal year 1935-36, the Boars requesting that the Council
approve the cancellation of this rental for the year 1935.36.
Tee City Engineer explained that the company had lost
considerable business during their first year et the present
location owing to the .condition of the ground; that they had
pia :e300.00 on the rental during that year and naa requested
that the balance be cancelled. •
This. matter . was referred to Committee elo. 5 and the
City Attorney for a.report.
Pro,;ect for Additions and Alterations to Librdu
A report was received from, the Board of works
recommending that the project for additions and alterations to
tee ei.brary be not submitted to the PW.A until more favorable
P':.A conch Lions exist. The Board advised that the Council should
bre ready to furnish the entire sum needed if it wishes to proceed
v.' t . the work at this time. On motion of .kitcheli and Mosher,
this report was approved.
Referring to the request of the Pacific uas and
eeec tx•ic Company to purchase ;the North Paso Alto pus distr1btting
ze stem, the Board of Works ;recommended that the Pacific Lies and
-ectric Company be advised that the City is not interested
et the present time in their offer to purchase this system.
report vas also received from Committee 1.1o. i orb tn.is matter,
recommending that this recommendation of the Board be approved.
On motion of, Mitchell and Wood, the recommendation
::as adopted and it was directed that the Pacific Gas and
_electric Company. be so advised.
?k k�roieet for Sidewalk .'t e: air and Street Drain e
A report was received from the Board of Works .advising
that the RA project for sicewal.K repair and street drainage
teas been approved by V?A. The z:ara called attention to the
fact that it :wild be necessary to appropriate the City's share
of the cost of this work ($8 ,000.Ue) oeiere the work can proceed.
The Council was informed that this matter has already been
referred -by the Mayor to Com :ittee No. 4. Action was aeferred
pending a report from the committee.
Request for Additional Funds
A report was received from the Board of Yorks trans-
mitting Bulletin No. 105 relating to the necessity for additional
funds in certain accounts, with the following recommendations:
That the Council transfer *F10,400.00 from the
Capital Accounts in the Gas Division to the Operating
Accounts of this Division, and appropriate w7,60O.0O
additional to the Operating Accounts of the Gas
Division.
That the Council appropriate the sum of $3,830..0
to the Capital Accounts in the Electric Division to
take care of necessary capital improvements for the
next two months, and appropriate $435.00 to the
Operating Accounts to take care of overdraft
anticipated for the :next two months.
That the Council appropriate $3,045.00 to the Water
Capital Accounts to take care of necessary capital
improvements the next two months, and appropriate
$2,700.00 to the Operating Accounts for necessary
expenditures during May and June.
i na t the Council appropriate x;950..00 to t ne 173
Account to care for building inspection work curing
May and June.
A report was submitted on tris 'matter by C:orn_nittee
No.. -4, recommending t;hat the transfer and appropriations
requested be authorized, the appropriations to be taken frog: ; e
unappropriated, balance, and that the Auditor be instructea to
allocate the appropriations to the various accounts as needed,
as indicated in Bulletin No. 105 of the Board of Works Gated
May 5, 1937.
The City Attorney advised that appropriations w"rom ;,he
unappropriated ba ance require ten votes. There were o.xiy
eight councilmen en present.
Attention was called to the necessity for .immediate
action on the last item, the request for an appropriation of
$950.00 to the Building inspection account, which :night be
ta:'ken from the contingent fund instead of the unappropriated
balance.. , ,On motion, of . itchel:. anc rood, the sum 0i e950.33
Was:appropri.ated from the Contingent Yund to the 173 Account
to care ±'or'bui:: ding inspection work curing May and June, by
unanimous "vote on roil call.
Action was deferred ',open the transfer of funds and
other appropriations requested.
Reeo tme-nd t±on to Rezone Greer ero crt v
A report wasreceived from the Planning Co ris ion
recommending that the petition ef Mr. Jo. . L Greer for r ezo_:- ne
:i: pr
to Lig.
noz:ew e:
on
from a:
from
matter
accor G;:
r.
real:i
to tl1
dnN ale
a pa:' ,ei
n
Com 4 ri
the der
of t he
of Harr
Cir1 Sc
one r-i'
the .,.eve
C hi.ld, E::
abo-at
an 31o:
the ?_ a-
for,the
t:e
Scout_
estateii
.- ea`i.:'t.
estimate
submitti
Study r
visin,
ge
the
y
','.mil
roceed.
erred -
nis-
itionai
iJns .
ating
30.00
n to
the
his property, a tract of 12.20 acres, from First itesidential
to Light Industrial be denied. The Planning Commission,
nowever, recommended that the: frontage of the Greer property
on El Camino Real, ihciuding`the Greer Tract, northerly
from Embarcadero Road, for a depth of 150 feet, be rezoned
from First Residential to Light Industrial. Action on this
matter was deferred pending a hearing to be held later, in
accordance with the provisions of the city ordinances.
Parking Jerea at _ Community Centex
n report was received from the Planning Commission
_ a firming its previous action of June 1.4, 1:J661 in regard
to the development of a parking area at the Community '=heatre,
and also reaffirming its action of slay 4, l37, in regard to
a paring space for employees and _participants of the
Community Theatre. T report ,• 2,;
The . epor,, of J�.ne �, �, 1936, recommended
the development ' of a parking area to be located in the rear
of the Coep unity Theatre almost in line with the prolongation
o;." Harriet Street between the Community 'iheatre aria the new
.rl Scout House site, which would accommodate approximately
One hunarea cars. The report of :day 4, 1937, recommended
t ne development of a smaller parking area between the
Children's Theatre and Harriet Street, which would accommodate
about forty cars.
; This natter was discussed, and on motion of i .itchell
and Blois, the Council approved the first recommendation of
the Planning Commission for the
�{�development of a parking area
or the public between the Comdian? t.y Tneatre and the Girl
e Water Seoat House, and disapproved the recommendation for the
tai t .' .:�tabi.,1 shme.t of a smaller parking area between the Children's
to ,.eatre and Harriet Street.
ry
The Board of yyorks was then reG uested toprepare
estimates of cost for the development of the parking area
1.73, ii the location approved by the c-ouncil.
tee
V
'rora .the
a to
eded,
ted
from the
diate
• of
be
e Ned
50.00
punt
2 by
and
s ion
.• e zoninng
'' Loading Zone Situation
Report O:f'. Parking and. :` T
•
A report was received from the rlanning Lommission
ubm i t ting the following recommendations as a result of its
study of the parking situation in the business district:
(1) That all loading zones be eliminated from
University Avenue, except those in front of
theatres and those in front of netels having
over 25 rooms.
(3)
(4)
(5)
That Florence Street from University venue to
Lytton Avenue, and Ramona Street from eytton
Avenue to Hamilton Avenue, be widened, and
that the possibility of using a portion ofthe
gas tax allocation eor widening these sine
streets be investigated; and that the
establishment of alleys in certain blocks in
the business aistrict be given further study.
That the two-hour parking limit on Lytton Itvenue
be eliminated, with adequate provision for the
convenience of existing businesses on . yt ton
Avenue being made.
That where alleys are provided trucks should be
required to use them.
That the ordinance which provides for loading
zones be ` amen ed tc"s eene 'rm to State regulations.
tie Planning Commission
ission advisea ehe t;.ou:..ci L that it is now
studying the question of decentralization of the business district
and the establishment of centers for stores of necessity in
undeveloped residential sections.
The reportand recommendations of the Planning
Commission were referred to the Board of Public Safety for
consideration.
Project for Improvement en Camino Real r i tea p=as Tax _ :.ne.
r report was received from Committee No. 1 advising
the Council that, it concurs in the recommendation 4f the Board of
Works to use the. City's share of the a cent gasoline tax fund
for the biennium to construct curb and gutter on the easterly
side of Li Camino Beal from university Avenue to Stanford avenue,
and to construct 6 -inch Class "AT Portland cement concrete
pavement on the snou:Laers of El Camino Real from Stanfora avenue
to College Avenue, and recommends the approval of this project.
This matter was discussed briefly but no action was
taken.
Reouest , to Imer'ove driveway at Library
A -report was received from. Committee i o.. 4 advising
that it,has considered the request of the Library Boars for
authorization to use the amount of $40.00 remainingin the
appropriation previously made for the construction of eidewaiks
in front of the Library, and for an additional appropriation of
,13.OD, for the purpose of improving the driveway along the
propery, line from Hamilton Avenue, so that cars of Library
employe may be parked on tee Library property. The committee
recommended that this matter be referred to the Budget Committee
for consideration as an item for next year, s budget. The
matter' was so referred to the budget Committee:
Transfer of Funds for Bicycle for Porice +%ept.
A report was received from Committee eo . 4 recOmme=1e i
that the request of the Boara of Safety for transfer of wZ5.JJ
from Emergency eccount J.26-49 to Capital Account l26-99 to Bever
the purc.hese of a bicycle for the Police Department, be granted,
and that thistransfer be authorized. 0n motion of Aosher and
Mitchell, the recommendation approved and the transfer
authorized, by unanimous vote or: roil call.
Ordinance Calling, riec �,? 0A_ on ieetire>ment :-;:y-stem
A report was received from Committee .eo. 4 reco:. me l in,
for immediate adoption a proposea ordinance calling e epeciai
election to be held on June 15, 193'7, for the purpose of
submitting to the voters the proposed plan for a Palo ito City
Employees, Retirement System. -doe committee also recom'menOed
that the ordinance be published .i n f u i once in the Palo Atc
Times and that one thousand copies: be printed and placed in t:
'City Clerk's office, that subsequent publications be mace by
title only with a statement tnat cop=ies of the ordinance may be
secured. at the City Clerk's office.
The proposes ordinance entitled "An vrainan_ce cap Bin
a Special election in the City of Polo Alto for the purpose of
submitting to the voters an oraina ce providing fora system
of retirement ::and death benefits for officers and employees
of the City to be known as the ,Palo .alto City Employees' Retirv-
ment System'," was presented.
Councilman Costello objected to taking action on the
proposed ordinance at this meeting since onI.y eight councilmen
were
be ac
op.L ii
des,.r
at h
oh t :.
been
poi at
of f cc
elect
Ccste
post_
the p;
ley ii
elect:
for e<
Robes,,
in ve;
a
petiti
these
of tee
tre
Of
Air . ==
c .. «-
b.
com.n. t
fol� d
in
oard of
and
T? y
e.venue,
A venue
;sect.
was
ing
walks
on f
.e -
y
' :ti ttiee
' ittee
mending
o rover
,ranted,
r and
=: . e nd i ng
cia i•
City
Ci l,y
Aeto
in tne
e by
:.-ay be
•alling
e of
.tem
es
Retire -
a the
i1.men
were present; he felt that a matter of sucol importance should
ec acted upon when there is a larger attendance. it was his
opiei ;"n also that the suggested date of June 15th was not
desirable since many residents will e out of to on vacations
at that time and it would be impossible to secure a large vote
en the euestion.
Councilman Aitcheil explained the changes which had
'eeen mace in the plat since it was originally ~resented, nriw
pointed out the advisability of mav;ing the system become
effective at the beginning of tne fiscal year on July 1st.
Councilman Mosher expressed the opinion that the
election should be postponed until November.
Costello,
postponed
After discussion, it was moIed
and carried that action on the
until the next regular meeting
Election Bills
by Yyood, seconded by
proposed ordinance be
of the Council:
A. bill was presented in the amount of $705.00 for
the pay of election officers for the elections on May ii and.
iw y i8, 1937, at the rate of 7.50 for each officer at a each
election, and for rent of polling places at the rate of *7.50
for each election; also a bill of •? 8.50 from Mrs. Elsie" G.
Roberts, Registrar of Voters, for assisting the city clerk
in verifying signatures on the initiative petition submitting
a eroposed ordinance relative to soliciting, and on nomination
petitions for councilmen. On motion of lorlins and Costello,
these bills were approved and warrants authorized in payment
of the• same, by unanimous vote on roll call.
Proposed IJ.Y.•dinance Pron ibitinf: Picketing,
Mr. Francis - Winner edaressed the (cuaci1 requesting
tne adoption of an ordinance prohibiting picketing in the City
ox' Palo Mr. Edward P. Cashel, Mr. Grant winner and
E annarnan also addressed the Council, urging the adoption
3 • this ordinance as an emergency measure.
committee
following
Committee
♦Si EST
A recess was declared while the Council met as a
of the whole: to discuss the matter.
The Council then "reconvenea and received the
report from the committee of the whole:
"The committee recommends to the Council that
consideration of the proposed, ordinance be
deferred pending an early report from the City
Attorney, Board of Safety and Committee Ao. 2.'
On motion of Mosher and
was adopted.
Sal s mac::.,
the report of the
On motion -of Blois and Saisman, the ouncil adjourned.
APPRCVEL :