HomeMy WebLinkAbout04131936City Hail, Palo Alto, California,
April 13, 1936.
The •Courci.l of the City of Palo Alto met. in regular
session on this date at 7=30 p.m. In the absence of the keyor,
the meeting was called to order by .the,City Clerk who asked for
no ix ations f.or iayor pro tem. On motion of Cathcart and Borece
Councilman Tno;ma:s .vas noMinated and elected Mayor pro tem and too
the chair. Roll call as follows:
,P;resent:. 'Bonham, Uathcart, Collins, Costello, Goddard,
Richards, Sals;man, Thoits, :homers.
Blois, Judson, . itchel' , kosher, Stephens, 4,00d.
The minutes of the meeting of March 9, 1936, were
approved.
p'etitio'n on Location of Circus
Humane
its pa
0000.
new am
t ne C: i
constr
o_1 cit
and ma
of t'r
service
C o unc i.
trl:'oug:
opera t:
p .Laced.
J. Sani
Lakin;.
A- petition was received from We'. A, irazier and otter bui.Lc4
residents , in the vicinity of Canning Avenue and Lincoln a=venue, the ate
requesting the 'Council to take steps to prevent the granting of know:rL
permission to "theAl G. Barnes Circus to use property at the
intersection of Craning and-iincoln Avenues for circus
performances on `Apr ii.. 2is t.
recommi
necessc
• ;The City Attorney advised that a circus could not be of the
held ate this Location because it would be a violation of the properl
zoning 'ordinance and that he had informed the proprietors of the 1 areh.Dc
circus.. to, this' effect. The matter was left in the hands o:' the
proper `�s athorities to enforce the ordinance.
A communication was received from Chas. A. Dobbel.,
Chairman of the Community ;nity Center Commission, submitting the fine..
report of the committee composed of\; embers of the Community .ern-: acvisir
Commission, Prof:. Neilson and the Superintendent of Sc noois, in svelter
regard to Community Center activities, the fined recommendati� _s
of this committee being embodied in a suggested ordinance which
was presented. A letter was received from. the Community Ceate_ $500J.0
Commission endorsing the proposed ordinance and offering l":xiack fc
cooperation to effect the suggested reorganization with the of an a
beginning of the corning fiscal year.
The ,.proposed oraina.nce, amending Sections 94, 95 and e,6 to Co.=
of Codified Ordinance No. 3 relating to the Community Center and yet max
Commission, was : given first reading. On motion of Cathcart :. '
Richards, this ordinance was referred to Committee 14o. 3.
Councilman Wood came at this time, 7:45 p.m., and
Chas present for ,part of the meeting.),
Pol
iCy of Community Center Commission re Dances
A letter was received from the .Chairman ofthe vo.-manf .
Center Commission concerning policies adopted by the Comalission
as follows (1) that all dances held at the Community center
will stop at twelve o'clock, midnight; and; (2) that tae c0= _iss=
has gone /o�n record bein}g opposed ��;1.o renting� he Community
Center facilities to out of town groups for dances.'- i nis
communication was placed on file.
approves
Final` , ?epor t on Community Center Activities inter.: E
OrdinancefRiating to COmnunity Center and Commission Univer
/
be ii.ni
that _ i
propose
the Cou
the r eC
C'ra ir:na
conSide
by the
felt v
and hGf
matter
r communication w.as received from the ealo < alto
Humane :society airouncing that, through ± the generosity of one of
its patrons, it is enabled, to offer to the City the sum of
ax 50v0.03 to be aevoted. tothe construction and equipment of a
yo] , :ear animal shelter, >upon' the following conditions: (1)that
for ,ae City appropriate a:: like" sum to meet the total expense of
o'ni'A"i, construction and equipment; '21 that . -the building be constructed
d foci , o_n city property : in a central. location, (3) , that the operation
ead maintenance of the plant shall continue under, tb.e supervision
;f the aumane Society, with the proviso that if at any time the
:7erice performed by the Society is not satisfactory to the City
City Council, or is discontinued ued for any 'r'eason, the Cty of Palo alto
through its board.' of Safety or other board shall continue the
operation: of the plant for the purpose of caring for dumb
animalsin a humane cnay;• and (4) that a suitable plater be
paced in the, building bearing ~ the inscription 'Tin lemory "off:
Sanborn and E i n:or Doe, San rand scdO ...
•
A letter was,. received in this connection from t. D.
Lakin, attorney for : the Humane ne Society, suggesting at the
building be located or. property_ o oxtrol_ed, by the City facing
the State highway between the Federal Telegraph building ,now
known as Warehouse mo.' 2) ;and the Shell Oil station.
A reportwas received from the Board of Safety
recommending the building ° of a newanimal smelter, that the
necessary funds be appropriated to'. meet the offer of 45000.00
of: the Humane Society/ and; that the ,building be located on
poperty controlled by the City on the State nighvas.y between
Warehouse -Vo. w and the Shell uii Station.
A report was also " received from the board of Works.
approving this suggested location, provided that it does not
interfere with the free use of the Pole `.Card, that the
University's approval, be, secured,; and that the area occupied
belimited to approximately 90 x 1c30 feet.
final A report was also received from the Planning Commission
y Center aevising tt at i t approves of this location for the new animal
in , - sheater • . ♦
eions
nich Committee No. 4 submitted a report recommending that
inter ';.5030.00 be appropriated from, tine Utiai ty Surplus la the u eneral
Lena for the purpose of providing funds for the construction
of an an.i:nnal shelter for the Palo Alto Humane Society.
s : .
V� ans '. or Z eww Sh`;:it r;'.
be:
the..
the
It was :reported that this :natter had also been referred
,nc: 96 = <. to Committees No. :L .and No. 2 but that neither committee has
r and yet made a report.
tend
Councilman t'noits, ;Chairman of Committee No. 1, stated
;net ;:is committee had discussed. the :;ratter of a site for the
proposed new animal shelter, "out lad deferred action pending
the Council's dec,si.on upon the offer of the .Humane Society and
tae request for an appropriation. Councilman Cathcart,
Chairman of Com:nj ttee< No.' 2, ` statedthat this committee had
considered the matter, it having been referred to Committee No.. 2
maemlitY by the mayor for a recommendation as to policy, but the committee
siora - e.t that it had not had time to consia er the matter adequately
r end had deferred its recommendation.
i ssl:
On motion of Collins s and Costello, action on this
matter was deferred pending a ; report from Committee £o. 2.
communicat'ion was received i
enclosing: claim for refund of taxes for
the amount ,of482.02 82.02 for years 19:x2-33,
under the ..pro'rislons 'of Section 3804 of
This was referred. tO t'rie City Assessor,,
CommitteeeNo,
Censu.s Fi tires for £oportionmen
QI
esignation of Prof .Rey-nol s from Board of Works
letter was `received frost .Lean B. -Reynolds, tense: is
riis : resignietion as a member of the Board. of Pubiic Works.
On motion of R±c,nar,ds and Goddard, this resignation *as aceect`d
with regret, .and .:the .Mayor was requested to express to -Prof.
ReynoldSthe appreciation of the Council for his services.
On motion of S.alsman and bonram, the appointment' of
member, of the Board of Public works to fili:the vacancy caused
by the resignation of Prof. Reynolds was deferred until the next
meeting.
Claim of :Tax Researcle„ Inc . :or Refund of Taxes
'rom Tax' Research, Inc.,
Nellie C. Barris in
133-34 and 1934-35,
the Political Code.
City Attorney and
Gas Tax
A .setter was received, from the. State Department of
Public Works= concerning census figures upon the apportion -
r gas.. ax .funds is based, the population of . Palo Alto
being 13:,835; wa ,ch ;incl:aces the estimates population of .h.e
recently annexed' territory of Emba,rca ex o Annex ,aaL-ea. to Life 1 3
Federal- census:.- •This .letter u -:as placed on file.
t W er f
om Divisioe of iii ehways re Emerson Street
A. letter was received from the Division of h; greays
referr, asg to :Resolution No. 1102 recently passed by the Co Lucie.
reeative' to the improvement of Emerson street, -advising that
Emerson - is not a major street but a :secondary street and is
therefore not eligible for consideration for i{nlydvement as a
street of major importance. This letter was referred to t ,e
Board of 'Public Works and C-ommittee No. 1.
Bulletin f from Muniei' al sec ue
Bulletin No. 8 from the League of California ieunicipaefe
ties: quoting excerpts from a report prepared by a Washington
representative of the Axerican Municipal Association relating to
relief problems: vas received and placed on file.
ter from Mrs. Seale ..c Rills for Street Work
A letter from airs. Grace Ross Seale: protesting
pro t the
interest charges on certain delinquent bills for street work
was ref"errea.: to the Tax collector
for a report.
lieeuest of Assessor for Cancellation ;,l Assessments
A communication was received from. the City t-sseseor
requesting, the cancellation of certain assessments on the - 5
:t ,x ro11 in; ;order to avoid double assessments of certain pubic
utility property: which was also assessed by the State boarc of
Equalization and also requesting cancellation of certain
assessments,. improperly placed on the assessrent r, it of parse.LE
deeded to the.. City by tux deeds. Tiiis was referred to Corn.:.i tte=
NA..52 for a erepert.
Letter
from R. Craig
h4. letter was received from R. Craig of van Jose,
representative of the Watch Tourer:Bible and Tract Society c-
Brooklyn, New York, requesting permit to use eerie of their T'seure,"
ears in Palo Alto. This was referred to the board of ee ety.
SecretaI
the neec
-studios
on Ci:ur�
pureese,
avail abs
some c to
exhi bi t.i
plannin
during
requests
assessed
this per
property
Councilor
past, wn
the firs
to that
that the
Attorney
give his
Cod nitt e
requesti
as a wee
this .lot
a card f:
had been
referred
Engineer
of the mt
Wilson tJ
the Lounc
specificE
accordant
by the Cc
authorizE
work.
the adopt
nd speci
the Boa e
tee Aeyfe
and Godda
Tray,
for a `via
to care
ti
nderi
ee
5
of
rtian-
0
e
he 1930
ayS-
uncil
J
s a
the
is ipali-
on..
in; to
ne
rk
arce s
ttee
K
'1
Letter from Palo Al Lo Art Club
A letter wasreceived from. Mrs. F. G. Tickell,
Secretary of the Palo Alto Art. Club, asking consideration of
the need for a site for the :building of an exhibition room and
stuaios for the Art Club, suggesting that the old. hospita? ' site
on Cnurc:r-ill Avenue : is the. only location suitable for this
per -pose, and. stating .,that if". the .City, will make this property
o.ailable eitner b a ,long term lease at nominal` cost or by
some other arrangement, the Art ;Club ::ill erect the .studio and
exhibition gallery.. This was referred to the Board of Vorks,
Planning Commission, Committee No. 1 and Committee No. 3.
Councilman rgood left at 8:15 p.m.. end was absent
during the rest of the meeting,,
re c, ue s t of .3` 1. 1 ac kburn f;: o r Tax Refund
A coin,municationwas':. received; from•J. d. blackburn
requesting a r--efund of $6.00: on personal property taxes
assessed against property purchased by him in August, 135,
this personal property belonging to the former owner of the
property. This was explained by the City Assessor and discussed.
Councilman Thoits pointed out that in similar cases in the
past, where personal propertyhas been properly assessed as of
the s irst Monday µn iiarch and, the property transferred subsequent
to gnat date to a different owner, the City rttorney has advised
tnat the Council has no power to, make a refund. As the City
Attorney was called away from the meeting and was not present to
give his opinion in this case, the matter was referred to
Coa ittee No. 5 and the City Feseuest of Mrs. Ernest Wilson for Refuna of Weed Lien
.":Letter was received from $rs. Ernest 'eilson
reeuesting a refund of 9.60 which was added to her tax bill
as a weed lien, staging: that she had had the :weeds removed from
this lot by private individuals and not by the City, and presented
a card from the Engiceer,ing Department showing that the work
had been Saone in accordance with city requirements. This was
referred to the Board - of ; Works for action, as the Leputy .City
Engineer who was present stated that the Board could take, care
of the matter. The City Clerk was requested to notify i rs.
Wilson that this matter had been referred to the board of Works.
?.ian.s for iavf`3 eld ranch:_Librar y
A report was received from the Board of 4+forks requesting
tee Council to officially approve the final, set of plans and
specifications for the Mayfield:. Branch Library, prepared Ili
accordance with the reconmendations, of Committee avo . 3 approved
by the council on March 9th, and requesting the. Council to
authorize the Board of k�orks to receive bids and proceed with the
r`,ork.
A report vas received. fro> t Committee islo. i recommending
trie adoption oz a-: resolution -approirng the final set of plans
:nom specifications tions for tree. La yfieid Branch Library, . and autriorizin
'Lae Boded of Wo.rk.s to receive bids and proceed with the ~work„
.nd
Resolution No. -.1103, relating to the construction ;of
Mayfield Bra.aeh library was read, and on motion of Thoits
Goddard, wa.s -`adopted. _;by unani ous vote on roil call.
Transfer -of Funds': for Roofing b' arehouse
A request was .received .from tine .Board of 'ublic forks'
for a transfer: of _ -:$460.00 from: Aecourit 177 .99B to Account 175-17
tw care for an overdraft, for the purpose of repairing: the :roof
of Warehouse No. 2, transmitting Bu:..iet in No. 80 on this subject.
This was referred to Committees No 1 and No. 4.
:fie uest for Two or Traffic Officers
A. report was received from the Board of Safety
recommending triat an appropriation be made for two more traffic
officerS„,one for exclusive use in the Mayfield section and the
other for use ' on lesser :: used streets. This vas referred to
Committee No. ;2 a d the Budget Committee.
Ordinance on Dog Kennels
A report was received -from the Board of Safety recommead-
ing the adoption of an ordinance 'defining dog kennels and
forbidding the ,keeping; of kennels within any part of the City
except in the Agricultur-al Zone.
A proposed ordinance relati t
� o the maintenance of
kennels was given first reading and ;referred to Committee No.2.
J
Fs-tIMates of Cos;; for S too Signs and Traffic Signal
A . report was receives from the Board of Safety
reco rending .tne installation of four refiectorized stop signs at
the intersection ` of Middlefield Read and Melville Avenue, as per
Board o -f Yorks %bulletin' No. 77, at a total cost of $32.16; also
recommending' the erection of a sour --way traffic signal over the
center of the intersection of El Camino Real and California rvenue,
as per Board of Yorks .bulletin 1.4o. 76, at a total estimated cost
of G87.83.
ri. motion of Bonham and Richards, the sum of $32.16 was
appropriated from the Contingent Fund for the purpose of
insta..Lrig. four ,reflectorizeu stop signs at the intersection
of Middlefield Road and Melville ..venue, this by unanimous vote
on roll call.
The recommendation of the Board of Safety for the
erection : of a . four-way traffic signal over the center of the
intersection. of El Camino Real and California Avenue was 'referred
Committees No. 2 and No. 4.
Parking Space at Community house
A report was received from the Board ox Safety reco=ena-
ing mat parking space be established in the rear of the Corr icy
House to accommodate one hundred cars. Action on this matter
I was deferred >>pending the receipt of reports from the Board of
V orks< and Planning Commission to which the matter has previously
been referred ` .by: the Mayor.
Beouest' to Rezone Site of Mat ,field Fire 6tati nn
. report was received from the Board of Safety
reccmmendis ; y:that the area in 4r_ .ch the Mayfield .i ire Station is
located be rezoned so that a drill tower of wooden construction
can bee ec ted. The . Planning Commission reported on this .utter
that it +could-' not` be desirable to rezone this location because,
regardless of the zone, it would be impossible under Section 2fae-
of the 'Building Code to construct a frame dril3. tower 64 feet i
height as proposed. The Planning Commission in its report
suggested.:hat, i:f° and'when a new fire station is proposed for tr1=
Mayfield District, consideration be given to the construction cf
a drill tower in ;conjunction with the. proposed fire house.
This matter was discussed, and on motion of Cathcart
and ,:Sa;lstan, the :.report of :the Planning Commission was accepted.
AC
irxg the
Post iii
recomfE
a 15- i
Board o
was re«
unanimo
szt21
recomme
of the
for :.he
Zoning.
reading
recomze:
r�i7(
ashi gi
distarcE
the set:
changed
150 feel
recom, mer
adopted
- Car.
t ha t the
Commerce
No. 60 r
was ap_,r,
that an ,
in Sunny
Peas
its prev:
Peddlers
ordinanc(
Corm tteE
the .Trade
of the ..
League : c
had been
did not
or ganizal
glad at
whica the
approved.
Parking 1,imi t at Post 'Office
A report was received from the , Board ..of .$afety recommend-
ing that a 15-minute.eparki ng 1.:imit be established in front of the
post Office. Committee.'- 2', submitted a report approving this
recommendation and recommending that a . resolution establishing
a 15 -minute parking limit' in front o: the 'ost`. Jf f ice be-' aa.;ptea ..
Resolution ;4 o 1104,;: appro ing ;a .?�,esolution of the
Board of Safety rqpiating ' parking : in";fr.onzt of the Post Office,
v,as read, and on' notion Of Co111ns'and' Tnoits, was adopter by
zanir o us vote on roll. call.
Amendment to Sec. 1011-D. of Zoning Ordinance
A report was 'received:from the Planning Commission
recommending that an ordinance be passed amending Section 10.0:1-D
of the Zoning Ordinance by substituting the word "buildings"
for ;he word "dwelling.st' in the :.f irst line of the paragraph.
A proposed ordinance amending Section 1011-D of the
Loning Ordinance as amended .by Ordinance. No. 439, was given first
reading and referred, to Cox& ttee. NO. 1..
C anL e of Setback Line
A report was received from the Planning Commission
reco ending that the setback line .on' the northwesterly side of.
Washington Avenue be changed from30 feet to. 28 feet for a
distance of 31 feet southwesterly from Bryant Street, end that
tee setback line on the southwesterly side of Bryant Street be
changed from 11 feet :and ,1E feet to 24 feet fora distance of
50 feet northwesterly from Washington Avenue.
Ordinance moo. 67.6, changing` these setback lines as
recommended, was read, and oh motion of, Goddarc. and Thoits, %as>
adopted as en emergency ordinance by unanimous vote on ro1.L call.
Conuition
Alma Street
report was
Lea the City Clerk be
Ccmerce setting forth
No. 60 relative to the
was approved.
received from Committee iNio. 1 recomndndin.,g
directed to repay to the Chamber of
the facts given in Board of `corks Bulletin
condition of Alma Street. This report
.in Sunnysiae Addition
A report was. rec'eiVea froth Committee No. 1 recommending
that an appropriation:. be .made in t:he 1936.37 budget for a well
in Sunnysiae Addition: Tii.s was referred to the Budget committee.
Peddlers' Ordinance.
A report was received .from Committee No. 2 withdrawing
is previous recommendation for the adoption of the proposed
Peaalers' Ordinance, ` and nowrecommending that this proposed
ordinance be not adopted. Councilman Cathcart, Chairman of
Committee i o. 2,. referred` to the fact ..;that a recent letter from
tee independent lerchants League asking thata special committee.
O. the Council meet Ti_th a . committee of the Independent 'per chant -s
,eague for the purpose" of` drafting a new peddlerst ordinance,
Ilsa beenreferred to .Committee 14o. 2, 1:nastated that the committee
cid not see how it cold- sit with a committee of another
cr oanizat on but wished it: c early understood teat it. v col.; ..d be
*glad atanytime to consider any 'ordi: ance' subuitte by any;groap
zniCri the -Council might refer, to. 'Committee "o;..' 2.
/y On motion of Cathcart
d,}ySya�,/l.s&an�,,�. ` the
�sreport :.y-1iL�a(s
al;proven. A t: the ,..S g e�'61tou .0 'Co Councilman : Sals n, the City
- Clerk a:s recuested .to reply to the letter of the independent
Merchahts'League and advise the League of tne Council is action
andof the .statements made by the Chairman of, -.Committee No. 2.
A report was -received from Committee -go. 2 recomr,endir-
tnat..;tte resolution of. the Board or Safety relating to the
es tablishMent of taxi stands be not adopted. This was explained
by,the e "Chairman. of Committee loo. 2, and -on motion of Bonham and
Sa1Sman, the report was approved.
Approcriation for inoexin4 Minutes.
report was received from Committee 'NO. 4 recommend
that a sums no to exceed vei50.00 be appropriated for the purpose
of continuing .tne v or c of indexing the minutes' of the' City Coy nei_
and boaro.s .unti.l 'July 1, 1536, and further recommending that this
matter be ,considered in the budget for 1936-37.
On motion of Richards and Sa1sman, the sumof X150.33
was ap ,opria:tea" from the Contingent FtInd for this purpose, by
unanimous vote on roll call. The City Clerk was instructed to
have the'matter of continuing the indexing of minutes placed
on the docket:, of the Budget Committee for consideration in the
next budget.
elaort on Billing Machine
-A report was received from Committee No. 5 informing
the Cotnc l that, upon investigation, it does not feel that a
new billIng machine is necessary at the present time and
th.ereforerecemmends that no action be taken at this time.
On motio :of Salswan and Collins this report vas accepted.
Ordinance ' on Setback Lines in emery Subdivision
Ordnance lyo. 677, establishing setback lines in the
Emery Subd vision, was given second reading and discussed.
This ordinance' was previously recommended by: the Planning
commission and referred by Council to Committee loo. :.1 . The
Chairman of Committee - o .1 reported that tAe committee does not
wish to pass -on recommendations of tnis sort by the Planning
Commission..
On motion or Thoits and Goddard,this ordinance
by unanimous vote 04 roil call.
was
Ordinance Est:ab'1is "J„ng, Setback Lines in E 1barcaaero An:^ex
Ordinance' •4o 678, establishing setback lines in
Embarcaderb Annex, . was given second reading. This ordinance ';as
px7eviously reco mended by the Planning Commission, and as it
involved: the question of street widths it had been .considered
and approved by'Com u.ttee igo. 1. On motion' of Thoits and
Richards, 'this .'ordi na:nce was adopted by una i..aous 'vote on role. Cc -
Report soi Officials
The, reports 'o ". the Department of Public Works, the
Departs ent of .Public Safety, the Auditor ` and Treasurer were
received andplaced on :file.
Mon kd� V
On 'motion of :"Collins and Richards, _ the fallowing bills
approved` and Warrants authorized in payz-ent , of the same;
1,0
the Am
a dist.
Alto el
atte
care t
Fend t,
was c:Ls
or
purpose
L U
made a
reso1i. t
at the
boards
coimitt
-
YL v tie
re guest
boards.
adjourn
Attest:
nt
tiou The ,Amer .can City, Magazine $ 2.00.
The American City Magazine 2.00
City of Palo Alto 44.80
Charles It''. Hadley Co 2.17
mayor C. E. Judson. 25.00
r e di Palo Alto ates . 10.00
Patri.ck,.. Oise- Kiin suer Co. 12.88
pi.aLie Professional Bui .ding, Inc. 25.00
and_ Slonaker I s" .printing, ouse l 4c
F. J..... Stuart' 12.10
Travelers Insurance ` Co. 185.15
Frank E. ifilbc r Co. 30.59
:David Leeb1e 8.50
endl Bancroft" -Whitney Co. 12.88
urpose : Palo Alto Hospital 1305.00
Council Supt. of Documents Bureau of
t this,' 5.0.0
L;ity of' -.Palo Alto 19000.00
Appropriation from Publicity' Fund for American • e iox
The Mayor pro tem stated that a representative of
the American Legion had infor zec the Mayor of plans for
a district rreeting" of the American Legion to be meld in Palo
Alto on May ard, .',ith delegates from surrounding towns in
attendance, and had'- suggested that poss'bly the Council.'would
careto authorize ,an expenditure of $10.00 from the Publicity
if,cad to aid in the publicity.,for this meeting. This matter
::as discussed, and on motion -;of Goddard. and Bonham, the sum
of x.10.00 wa.s appropriated, from the- Publicity Fund for this
purpose, by unanimous "vote on roll}' 'call.
urtner Time for Report on 'Resolution Tie City Employment
Councilman' ThOits, Chairman of committee iao.
Lade a verbal report requesting further time to cons :der the
resolution introduced. ..by°,Co , ci1men• Bonham and Saisman.
at the last meeting relating to city employment, as all.the
boards consulted by the committee had not yet informed the
committee as to their attitude and wishes in the matter/mile suggestion. of Councilman Costello, the L,ayor was
re :uest€d to bring this matter again to the attention of the
boards.
ad ourned .
iit,teS't;-
City . Clerk,