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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12131937City Hail) Palo. Alto, California. December 13, 1937. The Council of the (1ty of Palo Alto met in regular session. on this <date at 7:30 P.iui., with layer Salsran presiding. Roll callas .follows: Present: Blois) Bonham, Cashel, Coilins, Costello, Cypher, Goddard, Mrs. Merrier, Mitchell, Mosher, Richards, Sal.sman, Tnoits, Thomas. Absent: Wood. The minutes of the meting or December .6, 1937, sere approved. Complaints on Lot'. Cleaning; Charges Communications were received from Francis J . Smith, Louis , F. Ledford, and Miss Aeiiie .roster, protesting against lot „cleaning charges for the year 196, placed as liens against tax bi11s covering their properties for the year 1937-38, and requesting rebates of the amounts paid. Tnese communications were referred to the Board of public Works. Sponsor's Agreement on WPA ?roect The sponsorls agreement covering a WPA project for repairs to the veterans' Building, designated as Serial Number 0943-451, was presented, with a request from WPA officials that ,the City Engineer and City Clerk be authorized to sign the agr.eeruent. The Council was advised that application for this _project was made last February ana that an appropriation was allow.ed'in thebudget for the City's snare of tne cost of the project. 0n motion of Thomas ana Costello, this agreement was approved and the City Engineer and City Clerk zere authorized to sign tiie agreetent on behalf of the City. Agreement for. San Francisco Vater A report was received from the Board of Works approvir the agreement with the San Francisco Water Department for the purchase of water by the City of Palo : ito, and recommending this agreement to tne Council for acceptance. A report ?:4s also received from Committee No. 1, recommending that the report of the Board of Works be approved and tr.at the agreement be executed by the proper officers. The terms of the agreement were expiai lea by the City Attorney, who stated that in nis opinion and in the opinion of the Board. of Works this contract is a very advantageous one for the City and solves . a vital problem. This matter was and Mosher, the agreement -authorizing the Mayor and on behalf of the City was the for discussed, and on motion of . Costell o was approved and a resolution City Clerk to execute the agreement adopted by unanimous vote on roll ca..-. Permit to Telephone Company for ' UnOere rounc System, A report was- received from the appi ication of the Pacific .Telephone per ziss-ion to install an underground Board of 'works 'approve= a.na Teleerapn Co:ipany telephone system on certain st_ be granted. Board of Vs the teiepto R and Telegra system in t designates property c1 ton .be re.. of :=treets, adopted ok' Pe oort in,, hits i. comp..aints 0. Elam e .� v.itk_ the _;.. charges are .::at ter, rsco approves and notified acs .o_ tae zV aac it was sires effect. Vddenin. , r mittin g, No. 49 re.lat No. i reco",^..'u ex ten sec on ;;niversit outlined in the report o advised t: t definite Avenue unLesz itself. 1LE EGard J.; Wort: widening of r _action 7 Noe Not again rei. erre Olit a po .,sib. lost ._;:r vari; • 'J a rc' Of iOTid. riiver city -v i certain streets, and recomnenaing to the Council. that this permit s granted. Committee No. 1 recommended ti at the report of the 3sara of Works be approved and that this permit be grunted to telephone company. Resolution No. 1184, authorizing The Pacific Telephone` sea Telegraph Company to construct °an underground telephone system in ttie location- ana in the manner shown by certain plans eesignatea as Project No. 5745, and providing that all public .orocerty disturbed by the operations occasioned by this construc- tion be restored in a manner satisfactory to the Superintenaent ,f U ,rents, was read, and on motion of Costeilo and Mosher, was aciooted byunanimous vote on roil call. :eoert on Lot Cleaning Complaints A report was received from the Roam of i orks transmitt- ing, with the approval . of the Board, Bulletin 1Nio. 49 relating to complaints from .ors. A. McElroy, Prof. Paul'R. Farnsworth, Miss C. Blanche Needles and Mr.. B.enry Colombat, on lot cleaning bills, v.ith tae information that ,:an investigation has shown that the.. c ar ges are reasonable and .that the bills should not be reduced. A report eras also received from Committee No. 1 on this .::Etter, recommending that the report of the Board of Works be approved and that the property owners who nave mace complaints be eetifiea accoraingly. On motion of Costello ana Collins, the recommendations c: tne Board of Works and Committee No. 1 acre. approved, and it was airected that the property owners be notified to t.%u.s e_i E.Ct Widen_n; University avenue report was received from the Board of Works trans - •wit ,ing, witi1 the approval of the Board, the portion of Bulletin .�o. .9 relative to the widening of University Av; nue. Committee i recommended that, if and when the commercial zone is extcnaea on University Avenue beyond Cotper Street, that _.: versity Avenue be vdidened to provide 15 feet .more ti:iath, as etiined in Bulletin No. 4y of the board of Works. • A motion was made by Mosher, seconded by CE.sre1, that report of Co:a:ait';;ee No. 1• be approved. The City Attorney a,:vised that the• Council should not go -on record as zakin6 a i__l to commitment i:i regard to •the widening of University _.: c_'lue un_Less it is the intention of the Council to so Commit The motion was clanged to read hat the report of the :� ra of Works and the report of Uommittee relative to the icening of University Avenue be accepted and placed on file. i_:is motion was curried by the following vote on roll call: Ayes: Blois, Cashel, Collins, Mrs. lei -her, Mitchell, ;osher, Richards, Salsman. Noes: Bonham, Cy_oaer,, Goddard, Th.:.zts, Thomas. Not Voting: Costello. .t motion was then made by Thoits that this matter be referred to Committee No. "1 and the City Attorney to work a possible deciaration of policy. The motion was declared _3L,t I'or want of a second. A motion was made by Costello tiaat the reports of the era of Works and Committee No. 1 in regard to the widening of =: versity Avenue be forwarded to the Planning Co: miseio for �1r information. This motion was also .;.ost for want of a teond'. Opening Alleys near University Avenue 1A report was received from the Board of Works trans- mitting the portion of Bulletin No. 49 relative to the opening of alleys. along both sides of University Avenue between Cowper Street and- Middlefield Road for the Council's information without recommendation- Co:i:mittee No. 1. reported that it -appeared .tothe committee that the expense of -opening alleys through these blocks would be prohibitive. On :notion of 'Mrs. Merner-and Bonham, these reports were received and placed on file. Street :caving - Sidewalks on California Avenue A report was received from the Board of i:orks trans- mitting Bulletin No. 46 relative to street paving. The Board advised that it was of the opinion that the construction of sidewalks on California Avenue should be included in the plans for the paving of California avenue. The Board further advised that the possibility of securing WPh assistance for tae construction of sidewalks . has been delayed and may not be available .for some time, and that about one-half of the property owners on California Avenue between the Breck Subdivision and Middlefield ,lefield Road have objected to the insta.il..atian of sidewalks' under -this plan. The Board recommended that tr.e streets:: as listed in .Bulletin No. 46 be paved, witn particular emphasis on the paving of California Avenue and the construction of sidewalks on California Avenue, the need for whicn is imperative. Commzrtee No. 1 recommended that the Board of Works be requested to make a canvass of the property owners concerned on t:he streets listed in Bulletin No. 46, in order that . full infomatio.n ,may be recei'ed .as to their desires in regard to the paving of these streets, before any further action is taken. On motion of Collins and Mosher, the recommendation of Committee No.. 1 was approved. Widening Florence and Ramona Streets A report was submit tea by the Boara of 'i.orks tran s-- mitttng for the Council's information without recommendation Bulletin No. 51 relating to the cost of widening Florence Street. between Lytton Avenue and University Avenue, and Ramona Street between Lytton Avenue and Hamilton Avenue Co:::nittee No. ,i recommended that no action be taken at this time on the matter of widening these streets. on motion of Mitchell and. Richards, the report of Committee No. 1 was approved. Opening Alley in Block �G A report was received from the Board of i,orks trans- mitting to the Council for its information Bulletin No. vE relative to the opening of an aiiey in tne soutnwester } y one --half of Block 20, between Bryant Street and Florence Str Committee No. 1 recommended that no ,:rove be ;made for tne oresf_n of an alley in. Block .20,it being felt that the cost of the proposed improvement is in excess of the justification. notion of Mosher and Cashel, the recommendation of the co..el : . was approved. Signs on Bayshore Eir:tway A report was submitted by the Boars of v.orks trap -- mitting to the Council. for its information Bulletin No. 39 ene Bulletin No. 43, relative to a sign at the intersection of the Bayshore Highway and aiddl efield Road; aiso transmitting Bulletin and p r,) . and prop and . Un..v matter ture of Baysnure Bighzay �.ast paw a large:' at tne 'kjr was point permit a size an V nGV L _..i t .. ; e to secure sign. sign:: is t to take t and t ha t make the Mosher and it oan not Bayshore following r CL':emmeimam, amended as Committee �r_ve ;1itL r �.i space for new o1'aina zatter Po,: pr ov .• y ene for minime service st. on any one. r -.ac en eroinan; red ommenda on the mat: r d ty? ve: • Bulletin No. 39 relative to installation cost, maintenance cost and proposed location for a Palo Alto sign of adequate size and proper design at the intersection of the Bayshore Highway and University Avenue. n report was received from Committee i\o. 1 on this .:hatter, advising that it can not see that any further expenaL- ture of city funds for signs at University Avenue and the Bayshore Highway and. at Middlefield Road and the Baysnore Highway is justified. A letter was read from A. Groves, Chairman of the Bast palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, urging tae installation o a larger Neon sign at university Avenue and the Bays:.ore Highway. The installation .and maintenance costs of a new sign at the University avenue lintersection were considered. It v;as pointed out that the State Highway Co thission will not permit a sign on the highway property except one of a certain size and color,• to which the present sign conforms; further, •that this intersection is well built up and it is not possible to secure a suitable loea,tion on private property for a new sign. The Council was a.avised that a new re;'lectorized sin is to be installed at the Middlefield Road intersection to tare the place of. the sign recently damaged beyond repair, and that two aluminum -painted poles have been erected to make the entrance into Middlefield -Road easier to identify. After a discussion of -the matter, on motion of Iosher and -Cashel, the report of Committee 1 advising that it can not see 'enat any further expenditure of city funds for Bayshore Highway signs is justified was approved, by the following vote on. roll call: Ayes: Cashel, Collins, CostelJ.o, Cyp.aer, .ors. Merner, Mitchell., :i1osher, Salsman, Thomas. Noes: Blois, Bonham, Goddard, Richards, Tnoits. 1.aendment to electrical Ordinance A report was received i-rom the Board of b`.orks deco;aelenaing that the Palo Alto Electrical ara:i.narice be aaended as set forth. in Bulletin No. 45. Tills was referred to Committee No. 1. Lrive' a.y Space for Service Stations A report was submitted by the Board of baorks trans- .hitting with its approval Bulletin DJo. 40 relative to driveway space for service stations, wita suggested provisions for a new orainance to be made a part of the Building Code. The Board of Safety also subittea a report on this matter approving bulletin No. 40 relating to suggested provisions for a new ordinance, with an amendment providing for minimum widths of driveways and limiting to one driveway service stations raving less than 100 lineal feet of frontage on e any street. ..The council was; advised that action on this :ratter. : ad been deferred. by Committee No. 1 pending the drafting of a. orainance by the City Attorney in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of .Works and Board of Safety. Action was deferred by the Council pending a report on the matter from Committee No. 1. w 14 vassiessiamis Traffic at University and Alma report was received from the Board of Safety advising, in regard to the traffic situation is the vicinity of University Avenue and Alma Street- around 6 P.1., that in its judgment the only thing. that can be done is to maintainthe present aaeouate police protection at this intersection. The Board reported that it has authorized the Chief of Police to purchase a white raincoat so tr,t the officer will be more conspicuous while directing,traffic at this crossing. On motion of Thomas and Costello, this report was accepted and placed on file. Parking Limit on Lytton Avenue A. report was received from the Boara of Safety recommending that Paragraph 1 of Resolution No. 106, which provides for the two-hour parking limit on Lytton Avenue between Alma -and Kipling Streets, be repealed. This was referred to Committee No. -2. Crosswalk:. on California Avenue A report was received from the Board of Safety recommend- ing for adoption an ordinance providing for a crosswalk on California Avenue in front of tne ziayfield Tneatre. This was referred to Committee 1vo. 2. Aware of Contract for Street Imerove cent ( ley f air ) A report was received from Committee No. 1 recommencing that all bids received by the Council on December 6th for ehe work to be done under Improvement 1'1ans ido. 59 be rejected and that the Board of Public Works be authorized to proceed kith thi, improvement in accordance with the City Engineer's estimate of 4.26,685.90; and that the sum of $20,000.00 be set up in a <pecz4_ fund td be known as Street Improvement Funa loo, 59, tiais sum to be replaced by the sale of the bonds. Resolution. No. 1185, re;j ecting the bids and awaraing ;,::e contract for this work to the Department of Pubiic ;Works of Palo Alto, was read, and on motion of d itchell enc Thcits, r.s adopted by unanimous vote on ro11 call. On ;notion of Collins aria Thoits, the matter o.::' setteeg up a special fund to be known as Street Improvement Fund loo. was referred to Committee quo. 4. At the suggestion of Councilman Costello, tne matter vas ei o referrer, to Comeiittee No.p, to consiaer in this connection the e vieabiiity of retaining the bonds. License_Aj.reement v,itn far le, eart:.rent r. report was receivea from Committee No. 1 reco ; me:io that the report of the Board of Works recommending the apprevee of a license agreement with tne ; ar Department for tine installation of a water pipe line on Bert .in ei ty streets be adopted and t.aat the layer and amity Clerk be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the City. On motion of Costello a:. Bonham, the report was approved and the Mayor anc City Clerk were authorized to execute the license agreement, by unanimous vote on roll call. Grant of Easement A report was received that the grant of easement from Emerson i or, utility pea -poses be Board of Works. from Committee No. 1 recoca: epee_ e L. G.. Emerson and Catherine accepted, as recommended by tee � w • 4 1 n en roll call. n r that toe : eee. wade in the 2' petition from me eio n of i no. as .:::opted. Polley r` the committee a policy for ;he Boards w e responsibiei;-) exp-ainea the effect that si net 1egaliy pe money te emp ..e l caorieo thee, here :LS no a:,; Dr orL<<:lance, received, .at :1 only. • t 2 Qj t i o:_ls r. re that tne plc:n.- ✓ack o.: tne eo � V hall, _ .as :e committee 1 na en:.:` zne. Be clans, specific Ben e m, tne r e p :or eeo tje es eesesy . &c. vote en r0' r. r e e ;oat. one 6.a_ t _ L tne i��'cr::.G �r -. e r e :ues Vea 5-. .ledLS0n 0 „. �n_ •w V` v Irla himohAs _ ANIL AnirreOW- A resolution. accepting this grant of eaeerent• was read, na on motion of Tiioits and Thomas was adopted by unanimous vote se roll call. y eat n e nd- ng al re Guts A ppiia.nce Ordinance i report was received .from Committee No. 1 recommending :lot the recommendation of the Board of Works tnat i c' :�eae in the present .,hangs be present Gas Appliance Ordinance, as requested in a ,)e tition from dealers in used appliances, be approved On � e tioe of holts and Bonham, the r ecommendeTion or' Committee No . ;. � , ;c,,.�, adopted. „ Policy for Yt'1G•c:eacitated_gmpj.o,y es A report was received from Committee No. 1 advising that tee committee goes not believe that the Council can establish policy for the treatment of incapacitated employees, and if e -.e Boards wish to establish any such polic it :rust be their rS�CnSi CJl.l2ty. .:_ m. . y - T ii platter was discussed and the City Attorney eeeii:.ined the opinion that he rendered to the committee to the e.. ect that since the City has no regular pension system it is set _Legally possible to establish a policy for the payment of —;,.E:;j to employees except for services rendered. it was moved by Thomas, seconded by 1itchell, and ceer:ied that, inasmuch ds there is no retirement system and as ;-:ere is no authority delegated to any board, either by charter Jr oreinance, to expend city funds for anything ot.ier than value received, i-� is up to the boards to use their own „uagment as to „at 15 the value of services rendered and to pay on that basis only. Additions t:ions and A l ter .dons to City Hall A report was received from :at the plan •rsr2oi�rn as ' No. Committee No. 1 recommending. Project 3 for the extension of a wing C,s.,C4 of the council room and re --allocation of space in the city '•=•11, as outlined in the report of December 1, .19Z:7, prepared far tee committee by L. ' Harold Anderson and - tnat he n Louis J , be approved, ",' �•" t; Board of VY *"' 1Sen o_fs �e requested to prepare det4iled �lans, specifications and estimates. �ti;2ha�z, the report o� Y On motion ort. 'iLloits and p the committee was approved. (Councilman Wood came at 9 P.M., end ; as present during the rest of the meeting.) Resolution Abo1isain. Loe ing Zone A report was received from Committee No. oz' edoption ` resolution approving a resolution ecBoardai tees ty abolishing the ioaaing zone in frontor 113 ire board of Circle. Resolution No. 1186, approving a resolution of the Board Se ety abolishing the loading zone in front of 116 Circle, was ,ea, and on motion or Tnoits and Bonham, was ecoptea by unanimous 'ere on roll call. �' pr'o r iution to Recreation Survey Committee report was received from Committee N0. 4 recommending ;:.& the sum of 416.03 be appropriated from the Coitin ent Fund the Recreation Survey Committee for the rep ar a r "- , � p Lion of reports, requested in the communication of November 29ti1 from �r. -�,.:ison, Chairman of the Recreation N..?. e ea.tion Survey jr. motion of Thomas and Bonham, ,..y • , of committee was approved and the reco.•:.:�c�.�,�,„zo:z and the appropriation authorized, by .:ne nimo us vote on roll call. Cancellation of Assessment A. report. was received from Committee No. 5 recommending that the assessment for improvements placed in error against Lots ll and 12, Block 49, South Palo riito tAssessment Nos. 4555 and 4556), be cancelled, making a reduction of $700.00 in the assessed value. This matter was referred to the City Attorney for a report as to the proper method of handling this cancellation of assessment. Accounts for' Ex.oenditure of State Funds A report was - received from Committee No. 5 recommending that the Auditor be• instructed to set up the proper- accounts for the expenditure ofestate funds (liquor license fees, in lieu tax moneys, and motor vehicle fines) in accordance with -the law and the ruling of the .Attorney General as outlined in recent bulletins from the -League of California Municipalities. On motion of Mitchell. and Collins, the report of the committee was approved. Cancellation of Taxes (Veterans Welfare : oe d) A report was received from Committee No. 5 recommending that the tax bills on certain properties now owned by the Veterans' V1elfare Board, covered by Tax Bill No. 2561 and Tax Bill No. 3937, be cancelled. On motion of Collins and Mosher, this report was approved and the cancellations authorized by unanimous vote on roll call. deports of Officials .The reports of the Department of Public V.orks, the Department of Public Safety, the Auditor and Treasurer, ..eor the month •-of.,1Jovember, were received and placed on ile. lonthi r' Bills - On motion of Mosher -and Richards, the following bil.is were approved and warrants authorized in payment of the same, by unanimous vote on roll call: 'adjourned. Bank of America City of ealo Alto Modern Office Machines Oo. Palo Alto Times Mayor Byrl R. Saisman Stanford University Press Underwood Elliott Fisher L'o. Travelers Insurance Co. Skinner &. Hammond Stanford University Clay. of Palo Alto Palo Alto Hospital 4, 25.00 20.60 1.54 13.50 25.00 22.40 1.55 248.30 1200.00 40.00 1458.01 1484.50 On motion of Mosher and Bonham, the Council APPROVED ATTEST 7(44 - blty Clerk Z1-4/PALLLA44.A4k, Mayor session on ca.i: Prese;i', :eo::;_ t. (ome::' tee a,o aC;a tLo nal _. I �r :..&:J• co nsi Dr. Russel ,:sse1 V the i alo rl t t_is sucjeet a report o,. doctors uein, .s o� Co.; L ; a C. Jni v er; ;y, YY.eich of study rev 2.