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City Hall, Palo rlto, California,
October 12, 1936.
The Council . of the City of Palo Alto met in regular
session on this date at 7:30 p.m. In the absence of the
layor, the meeting was called toorder by the city clerk who
asked for nominations for ;Mayor pro tem. cn motion of
sa thcar t and Costello, Councilman Collins was nominated and
elected Mayor pro tem and took the chair. Roll call was as
follows:
present= Blois, Bonham, Cathcart, Collins, Costello,
Goddard, Mitchell, Richards, 5alsnan, Stephens,
Thoits, Wood.
Absent: Judson, Mosher, Thomas.
The minutes of the meeting of September 14, 1936,
.4ere approved.
Petition to Extend Roadway
A petition was received from property owners :n Block L
for the extension of the Corporation Yard Road, after the
removal of the present animal shelter. Mr. Lewis hayd Leve,
representing Lakin and Leve, attorneys for the petitioners,
was present and addressed the Council on this matter.
This petition was referred to the Board of Public
?yorks, Board of Public Safety, Planning Commission, Committee
No. 1, Committee No. 2 and the City Attorney.
Petition Against Location of Dog Pound in Mayfield
i petition wasreceived from residents of the Mayfield
District, with twenty-five signatures, objecting to having the
dog pound located on Clive. Street in the Mayfield District.
It was pointed out that a report on the location of the
proposed, animal shelter is listed on the docket under "Reports
of Committees" Consideration of this petition was deferred
until the report of Committee No. 1 relating to the location
of the animal shelteris ;taken up for discussion.
Communications re Propositions on Ballot
Two communications were received from the local Option
League of California, concerning Proposition No. 9 on the
November ballot and requesting the Council to pass a resolution
of endorsement of this Local Option Amendment.
A communication was also received from the California
Highway Council, Inc., concerning an amendment known as
Proposition No. 10 on the ballot, which, if adopted, will
prevent the further diversion of highway revenues to purposes
other than administration, maintenance and development of city,
county and state highways.
It was pointed out that it has beer. the policy of the
Council not to pass resolutions endorsing measures on the
oellot which. do not directly affect the City. On motion of
Kitchell and Bonham, the communications were placed on, file.
iiesignation of ;Planniny: Commission Member
and oointment to Commission
A letter was received from Col. E. P. Wolfe requesting,.
t^^t he be granted a leave of absence from the Planning
11
32
Commission for six months or longer, or that his resignatioobe Tra:
accepted if the Council deems it inexpedient to grant leave for
so long a period.
It was recommended by the Mayor that Col.; Wolfets
resignation be accepted due to the uncertainty of the length of
his absence. On motion of Wood and Richards, the resignation
was _accepted with regret, and the city clerkwas requested to
send a letter to Col. Wolfe expressing ,the; Council's appreciation
for; his services on the Commission.
The Mayor nominated Mr. W. M. Kelley as a member of the
Planning Commission to fill the unexpired term of Col. Wolfe.
On motion of Mitchell and Goddard this nomination was confirmed, mra:
Letter from Mrs. Floyd Gowan
a transf1
A letter from Mrs. i loyd Cowan. concerning the lack o Capital
adequate signs at Middlefield Road and the Bayahore Highway to writer.
direct, traffic into Palo Alto via Middlefield Road at night
wasread and referred to Committee No. 2.
Claim or Rurbert Shook Denied
No. e re
Mitchell
A communication was received from the City Attorney transfer
concerning- his investigation of the claim of lurbert Shook for Map
damages in the amount of 41,2591.00 on account of injuries incurred
while taking an. -examination as police officer,stating that in
his opinion the City is in no way liable and recommending that the Couxi
the ;claim be denied. On motion of Salsman and Mitchell, the No. 2 ti
recommendation of the City Attorney was accepted and the claim Boars of
denied. under t"r.
Utiitie
extensio
Sub iivis
A bill was presented from the Foster a Reynolds opening
Company (Ask Mrr. Foster Travel Service) in the sum of $100.00 whole bi
for advertising service, with a recommendation from the Chamber
of Commercethat this bill be paid from the Publicity Fund.
This was:-.eeferred to Committee No. 5. the Cour
• the deg i
to propE
avenue
A communication was received from the -Chamber of that rec
Commerce requesting an appropriation of $-50.00 from the Publicity and stre
Fund for the purpose of purchasing rights to plays to be produced.
:on radio programs over Station KQVI publicizing Palo Alto.
Bill. -from r oster a Reynolds Co.
Appropriation for Radio Programs
transfer
Tennis C(
lighting
Co itte(
On motto)
approved
call.
the accE
A report was submitted on this, matter by Committee certif i c
No. 4 approving the request and recommending; that the sum of stbdivic
$5.0.00 be appropriated to the Chamber of Commerce for use in for the
their radio programs, this sum to be taken from the Publicity tion of
Fund. On .motion of Richards and Thoits,the report was
approved and the appropriation authorized, by unanimous vote on
roll call. not yet
action c
Re -port on. Study of Library Facilities On motic
def errec
A communication was received from the Chairman of the
Library. Board transmitting the report of John B. Kaiser, ;te:
Likjrarion of the. Oakland Public Library, e.nd his assistants,
on the possibility of re -arranging the existing, main. floor .rd
:casement of the library so as to obviate the necessity for
additions to the building. Tins reportwas referred to
Committee No..' 3 for consideration and report.
ing the
the nori
and hlrk
::
i L/1• G:.lw J ,
333
Transfer to Tennis Court ;Lighting Find
A request was received from the Board of Works for . a
transfer of $600.00 from the Pole Fund Revolving Fund to the
:e his Court Lighting Fund for the, purpose of completing the
of four additional tennis courts in Rinconada
Reports were received from Committee loo. 1 and from
CoLmit'vee No. 4 recommendingthat this transfer be approved.
u: motion of Thoits and Bonham, the recommendations were
plo oved and the transferauthorized, by unanimous vote on roll
call .
Transfer of Funds for Typewriter.
report was received from the Boar. of Works requesting
w transfer of $100.00 from Account 130-49 to Account 130-91
Capital Account for. General Offices, for the purchase of a type-
writer.
Reports were submitted by Committee No. 1 and Committee
No. recommending the approval of this transfer. On motion of
hitch eli and Salsman, the recommendations were approved and the
transfer authorized„ by unanimous vote on roll call.
Sao of Emer;v S .bc:ivi ion:
a report was received ;from the Board of Works informing
the Council that the Board approves ` the map of Emery Subdivision
No. 2 with the understanding that ,the requirements as listed in
Board of Works Bulletin No. 19 be carried out by the subdivider
under the direction of the City Engineer and L%irector of
Utilities, and that .the other property owners along the proposed
extension o;.. Byron Street from the southerly limits of the Emery
Subdivision �...! �iti ision to Oregon Avenue . dedicate the necessary land for the
opening, of this street and join in the proposition so that the
whole block can be improved at ` the same time.
On this matter,the Planning Commission recomanendea..that
the Council adopt the map of Emery Subdivision No. 2 and accept
the dedication of Byron Street as a public street, provided deeds
to property necessary for the extension of Byron Street to Oregon
avenue are obtained from F E laaxwei1 and James n. Stezrsaa.n, and
that recommendations of the Board of Norks regarding utilities
and street improvements are accepted by the subdividers.
A report was submitted: by.. Committee No. 1 recommending
the acceptance of the subdivision map and the signing of the
certificate by the city clerk, providedan agreement by the
subdividers acceptable: to the Board of Works, together „ith deeds
for the dedication of Byron Street, be executed prior to presenta-
tion of the committeet s; recommendation to the Council.
It was pointed out that the agreement referred to has
rot yet been executed and that it .is, therefore necessary to defer
action on the resolution approving the subdivision map.
On .motion of Thoits and Salzman, consideration of this matter was
deferred.
Resolution Establishing No Parking Zones
.. report was received from the Board of Safety r,ecomniend-
ir,„ the adoption of a resolution establishing no parking zones on
the northwesterly side of Kingsley Avenue between Emba.rcader o Road
and alma Sheet, and on- eit? er side of Embarca.dero Road between
_ .ma Street and High Street.
Committee -No. 2 reported that it approved and recommended
- waoo fen a resolution appro ri g a resolution of the Board of
�zv
Safety .:esttablishing No Parking zones on Kingsley
Embareaaero Road. The Chairman of Committee No
Council that this and other resolutions relating
tion of :traffic at the Embarcadero underpass had
for adoption after a careful study had been made
Safety acid State Highway Department in regard to
of traffic at the underpass.
Avenue and on
. 2 informed the
to the regu? G_
been recommended
by the Board of
the controlling
Resolution No. 1117, establishing No Parking Zones,
was, read:, and on motion of Mitchell and Richards, was adopted 'cv
unanimous vote on roll call.
Re -;solution ?egj 1ating Traffic at Embarcadero Subway
A report was received from the' Board of Safety
reoa ending for adoption a resolution regulating traffic at the
Embarcadero Subway (prohibiting left turns on _leaving the easterjy
end -.of the Subway and while proceeding northeasterly at the
intersection of Kingsley Avenue and the easterly end of the
Subway)
--Committee 2 recommended for adoption a resolution
approving a resolution of the Board of Safety regulating traffic
at the Embarcadero Subway.
Resolution No. 1118, approving a resolution of the
Board of Safety regulating traffic at the Embarcadero Subway,
was read, and on .motion of gitchell and Salsman, was adopted by
unanimous vote on roll call.
tesoluti.on Establishing Double 7white Lines in Subway
,A report was received from the Board of Safety
recomtheni' ng the adoption of a resolution establishing double
whiteline. markings in the center of the pavement of the
Embarcadero Subway.
A report was also received from Committee i'�o. 2.
mm reco ending the passage of a resolution approving the resolution
ofethe, Board of Safety establishing double white lines in the
s ubway
Resolution No. 1119, establishing Double 6hite Lines
in the Embarcadero Subway, was read, and on motion of Salsman
and Blois,was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.
Amendment to Bus Stop Ordinance
A report was received from the Board of Safety
recommending for adoption a proposed ordinance amending the
present Bus Stop ordinance so as to restrict ,the use of the spaces
allotted for bus stops to busses exclusively.
The Chairman of Committee JNo. 2 informed the Council
that this matter had been referred by the Mayor to Committee .0. 2;
that the ,committee had, considered the proposed ordinance and
was'opposed to its adoption as recommended by the Board of Safety;
that the Chief of Police wished to secure, further control over
the bus stopsand that he and the City Attorney had been requested
by the committee to redraft the ordinance, which may be intro-
duced to the Council later after further consideration by the
committee.
(ICounci man Wood left at this time, 8:15 0.m., Lnd s
absent during the rest of the meeting.
the Co
estab._
of Alr
It was
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the su
of Sai
stop s
Avenue
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sheltie
but at
closel
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tract.
in Lee
had pr
this r
author
by the
this s
terms
reside:
animal
placed
Mr. J.
Counc1.
a uthcr
on the
been a:
C.
deferrl
as rec:
the Pl;
the ap]
additi�
tions
approv;
as rec.(
lotion
and C.� .
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o
safety;
over
ecuested
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tine
335
Stop Signs at Alma end Churchill
Reference was'made to Ordinance No. 685, adopted by
t e Council on July 13,1936, as an emergency ordinance,
estab.ishing stop sighs on the easterly and westerly corners
of Alma Street at its intersection with Churchill Avenue.
It .was pointed out that this emergency ordinance had been
assed with the understanding that it would be revoked when
t_ae subway is ,.completed. Cdr. A. W. Hoy, member of the Board
of Safety, was present and stated that the Board feels that
stop signs are necessary at the intersection of Churchill
,,venue and Alma Street and expressed the opinion that the Board
may recommend that the ordinance remain in effect.
At the suggestion of Councilman ,A1,tchell, the Board
of Safety was requested to make a report on this matter to the
Council.
Location of Animal Shelter
A report was received from Committee No. 1 concerning
its consideration of reports, previously submitted by the Board
of Works and Planning Commission relating to the location of
the proposed animal shelter, and recommending that the animal
shelter be located on, the same tract of land previously chosen
but at a site located in the easterly corner of the tract,
closely adjacent to Warehouse No. 2 and contiguous to a thirty-
foot roadway extending along the northeasterly boundary of the
tract. It was the opinion of the committee that this shift
in location would eliminate all reasonable objections which
nad previously been made. On motion of Cathcart and Mitchell,
this report was approved,
In this connection, it was stated that the University
authorities have given assurance that approval world be given
by the University for the location of the animal shelter at
this site, this approval being necessary in accordance with the
terms of the lease between the City and Stanford University.
The petition, received earlier in the evening, from
residents of the Mayfield District against the location of the
animal shelter on Olive Street in the Mayfield District was
placed on file, and the city clerk was requested to notify
Ir. J. N. Thompson, the first signer of the petition, of the
Council's action.
On motion of Thoits and Goddard, the board of Works was
authorized to proceed with the erection of the animal shelter
on the site recommended by Committee No. 1 when the plans have
been approved by the Board of Safety and Board of Works.
Closing Portion of First Street
Committee No. 1 informed the Council that it has
deferred action on the matter of closing a portion of First Street
as recommended by the Board of Works, pending a report from
-_1:e Planning Commission on this matter.
Lease for Girl Scout House
A report was received from Committee tic). 1 recommendin
the approval of the lease for the Girl Scout house, ith the
addition of a paragraph providing that any additions or altera-
tions made to the building can only be made upon written
approval of the Board of :Public. Works.
The lease- was _presented, with the additional paragraph
as recommended : by =the.. committee :having been included-. On
motion of Thoits andreBloiS,eaeresblution authorizing the Mayor
and City Clerk to execute the lease in the name of the City of
PaloAlto, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call-.
PdA Project -(Switchboard Equipment)
A report was received from Committee No. 1 informing the
Coincil that the, has as been advised by the Director of
Utilities that present rules of PWA will not permit the submission
of a. =prof ect for the installation of switchboard equipment at the
Power Plant,. as previously recommended by the Board of Works.
It was; directed that this item be removed from the docket of
Committee : No .. 1.
Transfer to Gas Center Fund
4. report was received from Committee No. 1 recommending
that the Auditor 'be authorized to make transfers from Account 434;
Gas Main Distribution Account, . to the Construction Account .has -
Center as: required, the total sum not to exceed X5000.00.
Committee_ NO.:4 also recommended that authorization be giveafor
such tra sfers. On motion of Thoits and Goddard, the recommenda-
tions were'Tapprovec and the transfers made, by unanimous vote
on roll cail.
Mayor Judson came at this time and took the chair.
Ordinance on Maintenance of Dog Kennels
report was received from Committee No. 2 recommending
that the proposed ordinance relating to the maintenance of dog
kennels ;be': adopted.
Ordinance 4o. 691, relating to the maintenance of dog
kennels, Vas given second reading, and on motion of Cathcart and
Stephens, was adopted .on roll call, all present voting Aye except
Mitchell and Richards, who voted No.
Ordinance Regulating So ici t i-ng on Streets
A report was received from Committee 1vo. 2 recommending
that the proposed ordinance regulating soliciting on streets be
not adopted. This proposed ordinance, which had previously been
recommended by the Board of Safety, would prohibit persons from
soliciting, the sale of newspapers and other merchandise in any
manner other than in a conversational tone of voice on any of the
city streets.
On motion of Cathcart and Goddard, the report of
Committee No. 2 was approved.
Resolution Establishing Loading Zone
A report was received from Committee: Jo. 2 recommencing
the adoption of a resolution approving a resolution of the Board
of Safety establishing a loading zone on Forest Avenue in -rout
of the. Stanford Laundry.
Resolution No. 1120, approving a resolution of the
Board of. Safety establishing a loading zone on Forest Avenue,
was read, and on motion of Collins and Richards, was adopted by
unanimous vote on `roll call.
Use of Old hayfield Library Building ty Girl Scouts
A. report has submitted by Committee No 3 informing the
Council that it approves the policy of permitting the Girl Scouts
to: use .the.: library portion of the old Mayfield library building,
And_recommending that an equitable plan be worked out to take
care of: the expense of utilities and janitor seyvice.
Committe
expense
of a lea
of Works
Iri
back to 1
enclosin
measure 1
State to
tideland:
action be
Salsman a
Lett
that the
municipal
he acknow.
On motion
approved
of the ie'
., v:
the Counci
Service AAI
not to tree
of Cathcar
Ciaj.
that the c
--refund of
Cowper Stri
On motion
the claim
that the re
city books
June 30, 1'
and Salsman
.til ryry
i.lµ 1
J
that tae 'of
for the auc.,
fiscal year
this recom;ni
PEr
Laumeister
Stanford Oil
ng the
of
mission:
attbe
s.
On motion o' Collins and Bonham, the report of
Committee No. 3 was approved.
The matter of working out a plan to take care of the
expense of utilities and ,janitor service and the preparation
of a lease for the use of the building was referred to the board
of Works and City Attorney.
Initiative .Measure on Tidelands
A report was received from Committee Ao. 4 referring
oack to the Council a letter from the State lark Commission
enclosing a suggested :resolution endorsing an initiative
measure to appear on the November ballot which will enable the
State to derive revenue from• the leasing of oil .pools under
tidelands, with .the recommendation of the - co ittee that no
action be taken on the proposed resolution. On motion of
5alsman and Richards, the report of Committee Ao. 4 was approved.
Letter from ?.S.Moseley & Co.
A report was .sub muted by Committee No. 4. recommending
that the letter from 1:S..io.seley & Company enclosing list of
municipal and corporation bonds which they own and offer. for sale
he acknowledged and, that the' list of bonds be kept on file...
On notion of Collins and Mitchell, this recommendation was
approved and the city clerk was , directed to acknowledge receipt
of the letter and list of bonds.
Civil Service Amendment on Ballot
A.report .*as, received from Cornittee loo. 4 advising
tree Council that the committee believes that the proposed Civil
Service Amendment, known as No. 7' on the November ballot, is
not to the best interests of the City of Palo Alto. On motion
of Cathcart and Bonham, this report was placed on file.
Claim of Mrs. Peterson
A recommendation was received from Committee No. 5
that the claim of Mrs. H. C. Peterson, 475 Hamilton Avenue, for
refund of $6.00 advanced in connection with the widening of
Cowper Street, which procedure has been abandoned, be allowed.
On motion of Richards and Blois, the report was approved and
the claim allowed by unanimous vote on roll call.
Report of Audit
A report was submitted by Committee -tio . 5 recom rienr -; T.
that the report of Skinner and Hammond covering the audit of the
city .books and hospital accounts for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1936, be accepted and filed. On motion of kitchell
and Salsman, this report was approved.
Bid on 1936-37 Audit
A report was received from Committee No. 5 recommending
t_}at tree bid of Skinner and Ear mond in the amount of .200.00'
for the audit of the city books and hospital accounts for the
.cal year 1936-37 be accepted. On motion of Tnoits and H1ois
tnis recommendation wa's adopted by mP.nimous vote on roll call
Deed from Mabel S. and Gustav Laumeister
deed was presented from Mabel S. and Gustav
Laumeister granting .to the City a portion of Blocks 28 and' 29_.
Stanford City Tract. It was explained by the City Attorney,
335.
that this deed had been executed with the understanding that the
City would soon start ^. street straightening procedure and that
the City would deed certain property to Mr. and Mrs. Laumeister
in exchange for the property deeded by them to the City. On
motion of Cathcart and Salsman, this matter was . referred to
Committee No. 1.
Overdraft in Special Gas Tax Street Improvement Fund
A report was received from Committee -ado. 4 recommending
that the Auditor be authorized to overdraw the Special Gas Tax
Street Improvement Fund not to exceed $2500.00, this olcerdraft
to be covered by monies now due from the Federal Government.
On motion of Mitchell and Saisman, this recommendation vas
adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.
Appro.priation for Expenses on Op-ening of, Underpass
A report was received from Committee No. 4 recommeadi:2;
that a sux not to exceed $50.00 be made available to the Mayor's
office to coverexpenses anticipated in connection v;ith opening
ceremonies at the Bmbarcaaero Underpass on Saturday morning,
October 17th, this amoant to be taken from the Publicity Fund.
On motion of Collins and Richards, the report of the committee
was accepted' and the appropriation of $50.00 was authorized from
the Publicity Fund for this purpose, by unanimous vote on roll
call.
Ordinance Relating to Auction Permits
i).proposed ordinance amending Section 208 of Codified
Ordinance No. 3 relating to auction permits, providing :or a
license fee of $50.00 per day for auctioneers, was given first
reading. This was referred to Committee No. 2 for consideration
and report.
Reports of Officials
The reports of the Department of Public Works, Department
of Public Safety, Auditor and Treasurer for the' month o± September,
1936, were received and placed on file.
Report on Hospitalization Fund
A report was received from the Administrative Committee
of the Hospitalization Fund with a tabulation of hospital charges
for Palo Alto residents for the fiscal year 1935-36. n copy of
the tabulation was given to each council member.
Monthly Bills
On motion of Bonham and Blois, the following bills were
allowed and warrants authorized in payment of the same, by
unanimous vote on roll call:
ilssociated Air Services
Bancroft -Whitney Co.
Bank of America
Byron Blois
W. R. Bonham
R. S. Crocker Co.
n. S. Crocker Co.
Arthur G. James
C. H. Judson
C. H. Judson
Winifred Kidd
4P 1.00
2.94
25.00
45.35
37.60
4.64
4.12
49.90
62.05
25.00
38.75
7
Mayf is]
in re;ii.
Club tq
hail of
escrows
be pees
to the
purchas
'Board,
as the
Branch
a_ ked
Club inj
take the
P
1
house o
committ
to the
the app
report.
any cha
paid foi,
that,as
houses
at pres
desire
Aceil
to meet
council i
Attest:
Ilk's. H. C. Peterson'
Arnold Rumwell
Stanford- University Press
Stanford Oniversit7 Press
Travelers Insurance Co.
Yhightman,'s Photo Shop
R. E. Witkin, Esq.
City of .Palo Alto
Slonaker's Printing House
Earl C . '.Thomas
C. E. Ashworth
Palo Alto Hospital
Donation o± MayfieldWoman's Club
$ 6.00
52.50
4.27
115.15
172.85
8.74
15.45
15.05
492.86
59.15
28.75
1181.00
Mr. Levis Hayd Leve, attorney,representing the
Mayfield Branch of the Bank of America, addressed the ,ouncil.
in regard to the donation of 6700.00 from the Mayfield Woman's
Club to be used for the purchase of furnishings for the social
hall of the new Mayfield. Branch Library, which is held in
escrow by the bank. He requested that a motion or resolution
re passed by the Council authorizing the return of this money
to the Mayfield Woman's Club . sothat the club might proceed to
purchase the furnishings. It was pointed out that the £ibr.ary
Board, by previous action of the Council, has been designated
as the authority for the administration of the entire Mayfield
Branch Library builiing, and that the Library Board had been
asked to enter into negotiations with the Mayfield Woman's
Club in regard to their donation. Mi. Leve was requested to
take this matter up with the Library Board.
Pump Ho u.s e on Subway
Councilman Cathcartbrought up the matter of the pump
house on the Embarcadero S.ubway,and asked if the special
committee appointed some time ago to make a personal protest.
to the State Department of Public Works at Sacramento against
the .appearance of this pump house on the subway had made a
report. He was unformed that the City had been advised that
any change in the location of the pump house would have to be
paid for by the City, at an estimated cost of ve1500.00, and
that,as there did not seem to be strong objection to the pump
house, the Board of Works had decided to let it remain as it is
at present; that it could: be removed later if the City should so
desire.
Adjournment to October 26, 1936
On motion of Thoits and Salsraan, the Council adjourned
to .meet on Monday, October 26, 1936, at 7:30 p.m. in the
council room at the city hall.
Approved:
.`.4Lest:
or