HomeMy WebLinkAbout02101936City Ball, .Palo Alto, California,
February 10, :938.
The Council of the' City of Palo Alto -met in regular
lar
session on this date at rr"13f3.p�m., i•ith-Mayor Judson presiding.
Roll call as folios s
'resent: Blois, Collins, Goddard, Judson, gitche1l, losher,
£icr2ards,- Salsmari.:, Stephens, Ihoits.
Absent: Bonham, Cathcart, Costello, Thomas, 'igood.
The minutes 4f `the meeting of January 13th and the two'
meetings of January 2 7, 1936, were approved.
rom hey. Pressfield reTraffic _ka.Sard
A letter was received from Rev. Barry Pressfield,
minister of the Mayfield Community . E. Church, concerning the
traffic fic iazaras to pedestrians at the int€ rSectiort of College
Avenue -and P.,1 Camino heal, requesting that pedestrian lanes
ana a Slow warning be painted on the :'pavemment at this location.
T_ is was referred to the Board of Public Safety and Loznriiittee
No. 2.
Rezor v on City's Claim to Bank Deposit
.h report was received from. the City attorney concerning
:a.s investigation of an account in the sum of k1.1.57.:5 on deposit
in the American Trust Company for the purpose of determiningif
the city has any right to this money, ` His investigation showed
that this .coney had been deposited in 1918 by Mrs. Parker S.
iadaux, Chairwoman of - the Community: house Committee at a time
the City of Palo Alto had nothing whatsoever to ao with'
the.
Community House, that this deposit is one of the assets of
t .e estate of rs: Maddux and that gar. Maddux has started
procedure to acq .ire this money for the Shririers Hospital for
crippled Children in San Francisco;. further, that in his opinion
the City of Palo Alto has no legal right to this money.
A report was also received from Committee No. 5 on
tbs matter, advising that, since it finds the City has no claim
p.i tr is money, no further action be taken. On motion of liosher
u o. Salsman this report was approved.
:Letters re Lic uor Control Amendment
A letter was receivea from the Local option ,-eague of
CE. .,_ orni.a enclosing a tentative draft of a proposed Liquor
Control Amendment.
In this connection a communication was received from
tne League of California Municipalities concerning the proposed.
local option "initiative :amendment and requesting the Council: to
aJ action on this matter until the League has had an
opportunity to study the . question and submit for the council's
consideration some of the fundamentals which may be desirable to
"vi_te into an amendment to the Liquor Control Act. Consideration
a c action on this matter was; deferred' in accordance with the
- 1....est of the League.
Letter from League on Business License Fees
A bulletin from the League o± California Municipalities
relating to business license fees and enclosing a questionnaire
on the licensing of commercial : vehicles was referred to the Board
�f Safety and Committee' No. 2.
Meeting : of. Peninsula Division of League.
A notice was received of the meeting of the Peninsula
Division of the League of California Municipalities to be held
at < 7:0O P.M., Thursday, February 13th, at the city hall in
Sunnyvale Councilmen and city officials who expect to attend
this meeting were asked to notify the City Clerk.
Appropriation to Z,pec ial ;.pus Tax Street Fut.d
the too,
Library
incider.
417,100
up to ::
A
report was r ece :vex: from the Board of Zorks recom:re k- ..�ayi ie:=.-
ing that the sum of $1000.00 be appropriated to the Special Qa.s from -a
Tax Street fund in order that tork may be properly charged to ;,1 ,000.
this account. Committee No. 4 recommended that $:1000.00 the Gen
be ' transferred from the Revolving runa to the Special Gas . a.x Library
Street Z' und.. on motion of Tholts ana Mosher, these reports vYere toge;r .a
approved ,-nd the transfer authorized as recommended, by unanimous will be
vote on roll. call. Richard .-
the sum
L gh tine aorsesnoe Courts
o± Works
A report was r ' ceivea from the Boarai reo uesting the ;:::e •-our
Council for a transfer of 421,0.00 from the role Fund Revorvin. zs. now : ema
for the purpose of lighting the horseshoe courts in Rinconada ?ar and Sept
snare or
r.i report was received from Coin . ttee No. 1 recommending metio
that this transfer be made as requested, and Committee No. 4 also ;;inani.ITlo
recommended' that the transfer of 4210.00 be authorized, this being
in a.dditiora, to the 4100.00 previously appropriated for this
pu::pose.` riot to t
eatheriz
:. 1a::1. Later
and i...
E ualiza1
that in i
time; t�
from tax,
he will .
Lighting Community Lents .;.re -rains :eG ualiza'
report was received from the Board of Works recommen u- t, _
ing thatan appropriation of 4780.00 be made for the purpose of
installing nine (9) elec trol1e •s for li zhtin:g the grounds at t::e
Community Center.
A report was received from Committee :No. 1 approving the
plan of . the Board of Works for lighting the : Cor unity Center
grounds and recommencing this sum o $780.00 be. appropriated.
Cr=ttee No.: '4 recommended that .780.00 be appropriated from
Contingent Fund for this purpose.
On motion of Collins and Richards, these reports were
accepted and, the appropriation made as recommended, by uranimo:
vote on roll call.
On motion of .itchell and Richards, these: reports were
approved rand. t:.e transfer authorized as recocrmendedr by una.niuoes
vote on roll call.
Councilman. Thomas came at 7:45 p.m. and was present
during the, rest of the meeting.
Purchase of Bill tjg Machine
A report :lbao received from the Board of. Works reeo.r,. etaa-
izig that the sum of 43, l',00.00 be appropriated for the pu.r cr a e '
an additional . urroughs Biil..ng Machine for. the Utility BiJ..L 6
Division. This matter had already been referred by the .ayo:
to Committees ,No. 4 and No, 5, but no reports have yet ceen
received from these committees. Action was deferred pending
report anG recommendation from the committees.
that the
supplies
matter 0:
be aeSer:
reported
purpose.
approved
call.
at set'
establ.s.
proviae
feet; Se.
oad, 6v
the Co ur:
tract on
a t which
setback
be defer.
Boskier
was set
eid Librar;r :,and ksserbLy Building
report was 'received from the Board of ti,orks informing
uou.icil that the estima;ted .cost of the proposed aLayfield
eibrary and Assembly Building, . exclusive of architect t s fees y
.cidentai expenses, furniture and landscaping expense, is
eeV,100.O0.
On this matter: Committee No. 1 recommended that a sum
up to 0i9, 000.00 be appropriated ° for the buJeLding of the
4ayfiela 1,ib ary and assembly ball. A report was received
om L-o ai:ttee yo. 4 recommending that a sum not to exceed
c,19,000.00 be appropriated from the unappropriated balance of
trio General. 'and for the purpose: of .constructing the Mayfield
Library and Assembly Building, it being understood that this sum,
together with 700.00 pledged by the Mayfield 1N omen's club
9
;;ill be sufficient to complete this project. On motion of
eicra.res and Goddard, these recommendations were approved and
e sum appropriated by unanimous vote on roll call.
In this connection Committee No. 4 recommended that
the council return to the Plaza rand the unexpended balance
i.ci the appropriations made on november 22, 1934
eha epten:ber 10, 1935, for the purpose of financing tkie City Ts
se:ar•e of tie .thayfieid Library Building as a i edera.l Project.
~;otioe of Mosher and Thoits, this report was approved by
ehani:nous vote on roll call
t•ounci.man Thomas referred to the appropriation of
:lot to exceed $19,000.J0 from the unappropriated balance, as
ee.e—erizeo. above, and asked if this is affected by the: 5>o
_imitation ever the amount of the last fiscal year's expenditures,
and if permission ias to be received from the %tate Board of
E t aalization for this appropriation. The City .ttorney advised =
at in his opinion the appropriation was properlymade at this
time; that he 570 limitation referred only to money raised " •
fr= taxes; but that as he expects to be in Sacramento tomorrow
e will secure a written statement from the State board of
e calization on this matter.
f:cDropriation for ' P:. Proj ets
n report . was received from Committee = o. i recommending
a; the sum of 42000.00 be appropriated for supervision,
sui- Jiies and equipment,.-rent .�.al for W.P.A.
.�i
[� ri projects, and that the
7.1atter of an appropriation to take care of the Airport .'reject
c e:'erred pending approval by W.P.A. Corn Aittee iuo 4
ee,perted that it concurs in this report and recommended that
:..:.)O ). vi) be appropriated from the Contingent Fund for this
ir pose. Or. motion of Thoits and Thomas, taese reports were
,p pr•o v ed and the appropriation :made by una n imeus vote on roll
,-)etbaek «::wneS Street Vvidths G Zoning in Embarcadero
A report was received :from Committee no. 1 reco.nmending
:at setback lines on streets in the 'Einbarcadero rarirlex be
e ab isnea as recommended by the >Planning L'em iss:i on so as to
_ Y. et -.,•r �.i lam. 1' �r � {�Yoll y -
V the following street widths: E 2u�.4'cac.ero +oad., car'
_'e t; Seaie venue, Santa, Rita -Road, J,ouis -load. and .Lest
-eet; Oregon venue, '3 feet; and iiiiddieficeld noao,n5.''feet,.
The City Attorney advised that it was necessary for
the ,,ourcil to hold a hearin& =on the matter of zoning the new,
cruet on xi which:, the rla L.ox issi:on .has : made... a . recommendation,
e *hie:a time the matter :c.f setback „Lines can ai.so be disc:uzseal
;.V suggestea tat action by 'tile Council on the cuestion of
sLtbac4 lines, zoning and 'street widths in the E tbareadero -annex
be deferred until the hearing has been .field: On motion, of
loser and Mitchell, the hearing on tie zonin of Embarca ier o -ennexi
ees :
set for the ;next: r egula.r meetingon March 9, 1'936.
Councilman Wood came at this time, 8 p.m.., and was t,;y•;
present during the rest of the meeting.
.epore of committee on Five -Minute Parking Stiace
A report was received from Committee luo. 2 stating that
it does not concur with tne recommendation of the Board of
Safety for the passage of a resolution establishing a five-minute Coaiz ie.
parking space: on the south side of oniver;ity Avenue located Peddler
immediately west of the westerly pedestrian: lane at Florence given st
Street. This was discussed, ;,end on motion of Collins and
Richards, the report was accepted.
Ordinance on Four-way 6 e 6iy ia.ws.
A :report was received from Committee jko. "2 reco.: enairi
to .t the proposed ordinance covering the inst.liation of four-1;�
stop, signals at tire intersection of Middlefield.Road and ikielvil:.e
Avenue •be adopted.
1_he proposed ordinance estab ishing .four-way stop
signals. `at Middlefield Roaci and Melville Avenue was given seconc
reading. A motion was made by mitchell, seconded by Saisma ,
that the, .ordinance be adopted.
The ordinance was discussed, and information ation was
requested as : to the reasons for the recommendation. it was
reported ` that thisordnance was originally . recommended by the z,ezrc
of Safety, hat there is a great deal ox traffic at this inter-
section :due' to the location of tne Community Theatre, to the use
of Melville Avenue as the logical street leading to Alba Park,
Clara Vista,. and other residential sections in that,part of the
city, .and to the fact that the through travel, on 1 .idalef: field Road
is very heavy. It was also stated that because of this heavy
through -.traffic on Middlefield Road, the Board of Safety felt tr .t
there should :be a stop signal between the arterials at University
Avenue and at tmbarca.aero Road, so that the telidency to speed en
MIddlefield Road; would be lessened.
eference was made to the obstructions to traffic,
WhiCh:navee.existed for years at this intersection, in the for ef
hedge," and"`•oo'ncrete posts, the latter raving .recently been
removed. Some ` m.embers of the council were not convinced that
the traffic, at this -intersection is heavier than at .many other
intersections in the City and were not satisfied with the
explanation.
It was noted that the Chairman of Committee No. 2 v'.es
not present and suggestion e.as mane ehat action on this corcin.iee
be deferred • until the chairman of the committee can be present,
and present a further explanation, or until some adaiti ona,1
reasons can be given by the police department or Board of Sc� cty
for having chosen this particular intersection for the es tablis
zaent of four-way stop signals.
On:motion otion of Thoi ts, seconded by Richards, the origi nae
cotton to adopt the ordinance was amended by directing ;hat t its
matter, be? laid ':on the table. The ^ etio n was: carried and it was
so ordered.
Ace on _aggistration or .Bicycles
A report was received from Committee No. 2 recomme n'a =o
ordinance providing for the registrati n of bicycles ee
Ordnance vo. 672, providing for the registration cf
bicy;c1es in the City of Palo Alto and providing penalties for
vaol:ati,on thereof, Ras given second reaping. On motion of �yc:�rGS
and Goddard, this ordinance was adopted by urlahimeus vote on retie
call.-. -
that en
be adep
the face
reco.:+:nen
of the o
not pres
.i.at it - !."I
com..,ait ce
no objec
suggesti
kar a.
to the Jmi
recommen
consider
lieu or
was appr
rGv:
that the
Auditor t
;his rec;
for the
offered 1
to the s1
of this £
as 4o b(
t :at the
continuer
oe Cori:
tail:
coverin,"s
is deedec
area ir. .,
and Salsz
unarimo u:
Deee
covering
connnectir
from .4r.
NiF:t :�'x1
,)reinante on reddier.s- a d. Solicitor''s
K report w'as »received from Committ ee No. 2 recommending
that the proposed ordinance :relating Lo. Peddlers and solicitors -
be adopted.
This ordinance which amends certain sections of
Codified Ordinance -Nor 3 Sec . 190B and Sec. 192) relating to
?edd,rers and. Solicitors,- as revised by Committee £'o. 2, was
given second reading.-.
Triis matter was discussed. Reference was made to
;he fact that the committee was not unanimous. in its
recommendation, the vote `.being 3 to 2 in favor of the adoption
ef the ordinance. As the Chairman of Committee No. 2 was
not pre:tent, the layor suggested that tr.is matter be .laid over
;ii_tii tae next meeting in order to give the chairmen of the
co:a;ittee an opportunity to address the Council. As there was
ee objection, action was deferredin accordance with the
suggestion..
i .after of Y.is vcablishin Taxi Stands
A report was received from Cormmi;tee No. 2 referring
to the .utter of a resolution establishing taxi stands and
reco,r:.ienaing that the Council request the Board. of. Safety to
consider the adoption of some alternative recommendation in
. .ieu of the resolution presented by the Board. This report
es approved and the .matter referred to the Board of Safety.
eayroli of Public Library
h report was received from Committee 1 o. 4 recommending
c a ti the recommendation of tie Library Board to the City
Auditor dated.January 25, 1936, be approved by the Council,
his recommendation providing: (l) Abolition of overtime pay.
for the regular staff, 2. Lengthening of. the hours of service
offered to the public, (3) Minor,: rearrangements of compensation
to the staff, and (4) No additional total expense to the City.
The Chairman of Committee No. 4 gave an explanation
a eels matter, and stated that this rearrangement of salaries
es to be effective for. the remainder of this fiscal year but
.. at the committee had made no commitment with regard to the
euetinuance of salary increases.
On motion of xiiitchell and Thoits, the recommendation
o: Coelm ittee No. 4 was approved by: the following vote on roll
caul:
Ayes= Collins, Goddard, Judson, Mitchell, Richards,
Saisman, Stephens, Thoits, Thomas, y',00d.
Noes= Blois, Aosher.:
feed. from Stanford universi
A deed was presented from Stanford university
covering 1.19 acres of land paralleling B„abarcadero hood which
is deeded to the City for the purpose, of providing sufficient
area, in 'which to construct the subway*. On motion of litche1
and Salsman, a resolution accepting this deed was adopted by
enan_imous -vote on roll; cell. :.
Deed from Mrs. Seale
A deed was presented from Mrs. Grace Rose z ea.le,
;:%vering 0.081 acres of. land .;on the 5ayshore, being e small strip
ceeaecting two parcels of Bayshore;:'land previously purchased
-r e, Ir. Seale ::in motion of Thoits anc. Mosher, a resolution
accepting this.deed was adopted by un .nixous- vote on roil call,
Tt .vas reported that :sirs. 6e -ale ::as deeded this land
zao c,o:st.•, to'.the City. n motion of Tnoits.: and Richards, the
Mayor vas rek.uested to write to :ors. Seale and express the
thanks and 'appreciation o. the Council for her cooperation in
this matter.
Ordinance Aa endin Sec. ti4tiClaim. for .,JJamages }.
Ordnance eio. 6'73, amending Section 24` o .` Codified
Ordinance Jo.' 3 rei,ating to claim for aanagesesuffered on
public property, was given second reading.' On' Motion of Mosr.er
and Sais an,. this ordinance was adopted by 'unanimous vote on
roll
f r;.., from,Councilman Mosher re Gas Rate zutane rat
l7'C.J. �ir a- and it �a e ?lent
At this time a letter from Councilman George W. Mos:zer
was read, and a copy of the Netter was presented to each.
councilman. This com; unication r eferrea to a conference
between '• the Board of Works s and representatives of the Pacific
Gas and electric :Company, at i. ci. cn conference the Mayor :end
Councilman Mosher were present, *',,been they Pacific Gas and Eeectr c
Company,;nade a proposition to sell gas to the City for resale at
the .flat rate of 35 cents per thousand cubic feet. Tne letter
also presented .figures in regard to the cost of gas and the
expense of: operating the Butane Plant for the calendar year of
19,35, anda °referred to the expense of moving the Butane Plant to
the Power house site for which authority ority has previously been
give.n., and to the complaints made against t the Plant since it v,as
put in operation. It was the opinion of Counci.i.ndan loeher that
the proposition of the Pacific Gas and e1ec tric Company should
be accepted ana the use of the :Butane Plant discontinued..
Councilman Mosher stated that he had been ably assisted
by Mayor Judson in preparing the data contained in this
communication. The mayor commented on the matter and stated
that further consideration of this whole question had convinced
him that the location of the Butane Plant at the Power mouse site
would probably cause as much complaint as at the present
location, and he concurred with Councilman Losher in tree belie-
that the use of tale plant should be discontinued and the offer
of the Pacific Gas and •ll.ectri.c Company accepted.
On motion of Thoits a d. Richards., this eomm nication
was referred to the Board of Works any Committee ea). 1.
A little later during the meeting Councilman Tnomas
referred back to t its subject and stated that he desired to go :n
record as not approving of the :letter and its i.mplicati,ns;.
that re has grave doubts as to the accuracy of the information
contained: in the letter and e ishea to express his confidence i
the Board . of Works and engineering staff.
The City Engineer informed the Council that the Board.
of Works is sti.:ii negotiating with the, Pacific Gas . and: Electr-c
Company on the matter of the gas rate and is; making arrangements
for a meeting some time during the present week he expressed
regret that the offer er of been as g the 3a --cent rate has made public
before the negotiations are completed. The th yor stated -,:hat
he 'had assumed the negotiations were finished as he 'read been
unable to obtain any furtner information ,on. the subject.
- Reports ow Officials
The, reports of• the
Depertraent of. P :b1 c Safety ,
m(onth of January193e j were
Department of el alo -' works, the
the auditor and : T+ easur'er.. for the
received and placed on fie.
grs-
0:1 Jai
X150.0
r? ce iV
the Go
recom
Pisa e_ea
they d
it and
so the
Counci
discus
anti ii e
consic
to wri
about
conpan3
at tni:
intend
compan3
Judge r
negotiu
the ass
satisfy
• accepte
bills :
same:
ad urn,
Attest:,
Clam;: of Arse Elliott
Judge : E. Hardy„ appeared before tie Leouncii with
irs. A. S. .yi.iott, and. referred to the action of the Council
an January 13th in regard to the claim of ors. E11;.ott for
y150.00 to pay doctor's bills for treatment of injuries
received by her in a fall on a sidewalk on College Avenue,
t e Council having approved a report from Committee No. 5
recommending that the City Attorney be directed to inform the
Indemnity Insurance C'o zpa::y of ;1aorth kmorica that in the event
they do not pay the claim of Mrs Elliott the City would pay
it and would henceforth refuse to insure with that company.
The City Attorney explained that he had not written
to the insurance company to this effect because, after the
council meeting on January 13th., there was considerable
discussion among council members who had voted 7 or the motion
and were of the opinion after giving the matter further
consideration that it would not be a good policy for the City
to write such a letter as had been directed.
The Attorney reported .further that he had conferred
about three weeks ago with the manager of the insurance
company who stated that he would' appear before the 0ouncil
at this meeting and inform the Council as to the companys
intentions in this matter. The representative of the insurance
company was not present..
After considerable discussion on this subject,
Judge hardy suggested that he and ars. Elliott be allowed to
negotiate with the insurance company on this matter, with
;;he assistance of the City Attorney, and see if some
satisfactory arrangement can be made. This suggestion was
accepted and the Council' took no further action at this time.
On emotion of eaikitchell and Mosher, the following
bills were approved and Warrants. -authorized in payment of the-.
ame:
Bancrof t -Whitney Company.
Cnar.ies R.' Badi'ey Ca.:
hare, Erewer' .& C1.ark, Inc .
Mayor 0. H. Judson
iiercury herald Company
National ,unic..ipai f;eague
rofess.ional Bldg. Inc.
Railroad C%omrnission
Frank Shepard Co.
Sionaker's Printing House
Traveiers insurance Co.
rtucker-Fu1-1er Co.
City of Palo Alto
P.A.Transfer & Storage Co.
ealo Alto Hospital
2.04
33.31
225.68
25.00
152.76
5.00
2.5.00
3.00
17.30
11.0
'184.55
54.38
30.85
8.00
1121.00
On motion of Thomas and Thoits, the Council
adjourned,*
approved s �./zaoe
:�a,yl'or
City Cler