HomeMy WebLinkAbout05151935Ansordirensam
City Hall, Palo Alto, California,
May 15, 1935.
The Council .of tre City of pale Alto meton this date
at 7:30 p.m., pursuant to adjournment of .May 15, 1935, with
Mayor ,Thomas. presiding Roll call as follows:
Present.
Bonham, .-oLii.ns, .Judson, Kelly, Mitchell, posher, Stephens,
1hoits, Thomas.
r-bsent:
Blois, Brown, Cathcart, Crandall, Green, Wood.
The special order of the day was the canvass of the
returns of the "';general municipal election held on May 14, 1.651
for the election of seven councilmen for the City -of Palo Alta,
five for the term of six. rt'years and two i or the term or four year:,
and the canvass 01 the resu is of the election, on the proposition
submitted to the voters as to whether or not they favored the
establishment of, a permanent hospital benefit plan for the
citizens of the City of Palo Alto.
Councilmen Collins and Thoits were appointed tellers,
and the Council took a recess while the tellers canvassed the
election returns.
When the report of the tellers was ready, the Council
reconvened`. The tellers reportea that the total number of votes
cast for councilmen wasroan to be 2735, the necessary number
for a majority being 136'8:: '.12A0 errors were aiscovered in the
unofficial returns submitted by the election boards; the vote
for Robert„ •1. Richards in Precinct 5 being 114: instead of 144,
making his total vote 121.6 instead of 1243. The vote on
Proposition 110. 1 in Precinct iu.o . 2 was fo una to be 314 instead
294, making the total vote for the proposition 2365; the number
of votes against theproposition was 274.
The number of votes received by each candidate
/ councilman was round to be as follows:
r or Six -Year Perm:
J. Byron Blois 1174
Clarence V. . Brooks 1115
vane A. Brown 330
Walter u. Brown 568
Ldward P. Cas-het 1280
-Lorenz Costello 1523
Glenn: W.' Goddard. 1146
u. Aeily 851
George L.iddicoat 1256-
±'red.eric ' . Perry 973-
Robert L. Richards 121.3
Lar1 C . Thomas 1406
ear Term:
George L. Green
George W. Mosher
Peter A. Nielsen
-Byri. R. Salsman
zdwin'• .j . Thomas
627
1686.
220
1553'..
1051
fox
The tellers reported that Lorenz Costello Ana Earl C.
Thomas read, received ."the necessary majority of votes for the six-
year" ter , and that George' W. Mosher and ,syri R. Saisza.n has'
rec-ei;veo. .:a majority for' the i'our-year term; further, that the six
next' highest in number_ of votes received on the.. s-ix-yeer t.e
ere ' ;Byron, B1oi;s, ;Cla;. ence W. Brooks, Bdward Cashel,, G zer.
V. - Goddard",= Geor gee` -,wiu aicoat and Robert .. Richards:.
On motion of 1
received and ;
Ord:
municipal ele<
councilmen, ar
This ordinance
were duly e Lec
July, 1, 1935,
were duly elec
further provid
Tuesday, .gay
councilmen for
Byron Blois,
Goaaarc, Georg
of Mosher ano.
on roil call.
ne Pen t
the
by the Council.
following the
property sold i
Coiiector, enc.
matter, stati,n,:
of the County
penalties and e
and the city ca.
charges interee
deliri:.;uency is
:ne A
('ommittee No. 5
iso • 5, reported
matter, but naa
the State Legis,
on ;;ne mat eer o.
The City .A ttora
ne receives inr,
Referi
Larch 11, 1955,
Tne City r-ttor=:c
cording as the
different inter;
length, ana o;1
was instructea t
County author1t j
that refunds may
and advertising
taxes redeemed t,
vraina
provide that int
1934, Instead of
motion of Mitche
ordinance by aria
Comm
protesting again,
Board of Works f4
funds, or the pr;
the wrecking of <
Avenue is opened.
n repo'
inasmuch as the 1.
4
On motion of Mosher end Mi,tchei,, the report of the tellers was
received and placed on ,the, record.
Ordinance lN1o. 653, dec.Laring the result of the
municipal election held on' ay14,; 1935 for the election of
councilmen, and providing for a. second election, was read.
yn1s ordinance aeclar'ed that Lorenz Costello ; and Earl G. Themes
were duly elected coup a.lmen for the term of six years commenchg
July 1, 1935,and that eorge ; W. 'Mosher and Ryr1 R. Sal swan
were duly elected for the "term of: four years. The ordinance
further provided that a second , ei:ection shall be held on
Tuesday, :gay ;21, 1935, for the purpose of electing three
councilmen for the term,of six ;years, the candidates being J.
Syron ;larence W. Brooks, . dward e C«she1, Glean. .
Goaaard, ueorge eiadicoat, ,and ktobert e. ` Richaras on motion
of dosher• dna Kelly, this ordinance was passed by unanimo..s vote
on roil call.
ee Penalties on pelin .Uent Taxes,
The:...ayor referred to the question discussed previously
ey the Council as to whether or not the City of ea.lo Alto was
ro!lowing ;:.the samet�:procedure :as, the County in the redemption of
property sold fur taxes, and read a communication from the Tax
Ceiiector, enclosing a letter .from the County euaitor on this
matter, stating that the difference between the redemption charges
o_ the County and the City are that the City includes de.i.inquency
Jenalties and advertising costs, while the County does not,
anc tc:e City charges interest from July 1, 1933, Valle tee County
charges interest from July 1, 1934, only, regard.fess of when the
: eii n uer cy is incurred.
ire Aayor stated that he had referred this matter to
committee No. 5. Councilmen Mitchell, Chairman of Comaittee
:.c. 5, reported that the committee had informally discussed the.
ratter, but had decided to defer'' making .a recommendationuntil
;. e Late Legislature in, session at present taxes some action
ee .rye matter of redemption of property sold for taxes.
Tae City Attorney stated he had delayed making his report until
axe receives, information from the Legislature on this subject.
Reference was made to Ordinance No. 645 passed on
aarcn 11, i935, relating to redemption of property soil for taxes.
Tae City ettorney explained that :the ordinance has the same
.,er; ing as the state .law, ` but the County' and City had placed
cif. greet interpretations ;upon''it. This' matter was discussed a
..ength, anti on motion -of : Thaits. and ,osner, tne. Tax co:L.ector
was instructed- to interpret > the orairiarnce in the same v:ay as the
Ceurty duthcr;ities interpret it, 'and to change his records so`
teat refunds may be . a.Liorwed to .over the deliri uency eeraities
yea advertising costs,together; with interest thereon, on any
taxes redeemed under Ordnance- No. -645.
Ordinance No. 654,; amending .Ordinance eo. 645, to
provide that interest be computed from the first day of July,
le34, instead of thefiret' day: al July, 1933, was read, and on
ration of Mitchell end Eonhara:,was ;dopted-.;as an emergency
or airiance by unanimous vote on roll call.
wenin z of Cali `orrsie:" Avenue
communication vas' received from Mrs. L. E. 6tromquist
protesting against that part of -the recommendation maae by the
board of Works .for en appropriation, of 41900.00 from municipal
funds, or the :procuring .e . tbd s amount. from: the S.E.R.A.., for,
the wrecking of a.building on the ;`-Emeryproperty if California
Avenue is opened, from Webster Street to Middlefield Road.
A report was received from Com a.ittee No. i recommending,
iva.smueh as the .proposed extension of California Avenue is on the
basis . of a 6p foot:; street . and not car teriai in character, that
as. 18-f oot:: gtrip of macadam pavement be laid on California Avenue
from 'Webster. Street to Middlefield hoed when the proposed; street
is cleared:and ,dedicated to the city. On motion of Mos:ner and
. teas, .._ �. .. o.�._._ _ ._ ' �-_ L eon __ - ._ adopted.
.. .
X'ro;n lcim s.
Community enter
communication was received from the Community center
Comma ssioxisuggesting that a survey be made of the Community
Center` and recreational activities, and recommending that AT.
L e. Neilson, . who has, offered his services_ without charge,
be selected. to do this work. le copy of the minutes of the
Communitj'_ Center Commission of May 14, 1935, concerning this
matter, was read..
This; matter was discussed, and on motion of Thoits and.
Mitchell, it was directed that a committee be appointed to make
such a survey as requested by the Community ' Center k%ommission,
that the ,Mayor be auth ,:.zed to appoint the members of this
committee, ' and that lir.. ` Neilson be made Chairman of the committee
.keeuest for Appropriation to Repair Veterans' bldg.
A 'letter was received from the Veterans` building
Commission requesting an appropriation not to exceea $250.00
for materials for necessary repairs and alterations to the
Veterans t Building, J.: .h.A. workmen to perform the labor.
This ' was referred to Committees eio . i end INo . 4.
teaener on lr a.f 'ic haws
A letter was_received from Jer. eaui S. Wagner of
Redwood City protesting against alleged injustice inthe matter J
traffic law enforcement in r'alo A.Lto. This was referred to tce
Board of Safety, and at the suggestion of Councilman Collins the
letterwas also referred to Councilman 'e ood
. Report of Hospitalization Committee Approved
Councilman Mitchell referred to the report of the
Special Committee on hospitalization, presented to the Coeneie
on April 8, 1.35,the committee recommending that the hospital
benefits to Palo. Alto residents be made permanent ana tnat the
fiat 'benefit Of 42.50 per day per person be applied to ail per
diem. `c:narges :except those in excess of $8.00 per aay, provicea
that the 'benefits in no case snail be greater than 50/0 of the
per diem charges, and provided that said benefits snail be
available to each person for not more than 21 days in each year;
the;, committee;;further recommenaing that the 'administrative
committee composed of the . ayor, or his appointee, the Sueerifte
dent :of. the hospital and the City health Officer be continued.
Attention was called to the fact, that on April 8th the Courici
postponed action on: this report until some future date.
Reference was made to the result of the e1ectin on
May. 14th on the. proposition submitted to the voters es to whether
or not'they favored the establishment of .a. permanent hospital
benefit plan ,forthe citizens of the City of Pa?;o Alto, ana to
et -the overwhelming majority in favor of the proposition, the vote
for the proposition being 2335 ana against the proposition 274.
On'..motion of Mitchell and Collins, the report . of the
Special. C6mmitt.ee on 'Hospitalization was adopted, and
Committee : iio. 4 was'instructed to include ' the, necessary
ei appropriation for this purpose in the 1935-36 budget.
Purc
that a tr,
to Equipznl
machine -f z
this requi
was author
in the amo
to 0. V. F
the claim
The City .
motion of ,
Legis.
1
iunicipalit
State Legi
eie ttee
Ieasure enc
placed on f
i.etter
A
Transit Com
approving SE
bill was re;
placed on ri
ele oo1;t
e;c
concerning e
on Assessmen
that the Tax
records so a
assessment r,
to Committee
Leed fr.
.it
a deed from
description ;
Alto dated 0c;
be accepted 1
a resolution
roll call.
S rinkle_
A r.
ing with the :
sprinkler sys
believes the 7
Board of Fire
1933, should
as possible.
at r
s and.
alake.
3n�
miLtree4
;C
cit
t a1
the
per:
idea
the
Purchase of Duplicating Machine
A c.ommuri:ication was received from the Auditor. requesting
that a transfer of P195.00 be made from Operating -Account #111-01
to .Equipment Aecot nt #111-99 for the purchase of a duplicating
machine for the Aaditor t S off ice: Committee No. 4 approved
this request. On motion of , itchel.l and Judson, this transfer
was authorized by naniimoi(s vote on roll call.
Claim from Co mere
A claim':Was ,received,,from the, CommercialCredit Company
in the amount :of 4400:00 for damages to a Ford truck registered
to. O V. Freeman and operated by a, city employee, the amount of
the claim being the balance :due under a conditional sale .contract.
The City Attorney recommended that this claim be denied. On
motion of Mosher and Judson, the claim was denied.
redit go.
Leo.is1ative Bulletins from Lean
Bu1l'etins No.. 7 and No. ,8 of, the League of California.
lunicipalities concerning; the Gas Tax and other bills before the
State Legislature, were received and placed on file.
Letter on GroS-s
A letter from. the Committee for Gross Receipts Tax
Measure enclosing copy of proposed constitutional amendment _was
placed on file.
Letter fr,:)a Penins ii.a Rapid 3ransit Corrmitt.e
A communication was received from the Peninsula Rapid
Transit Comaitteeasking the Council to adopt a resolution
approving Senate Bill No. < 511. The 4ay or reported that this
bill was 'recently defeated in the senate. The communication was
placed on file.
Keoort on Errors .in Assessments
Communications were received from the City Assessor
concerning errors in assessments for the year 1933-34 and 1934-35
on Assessment No. 7296F and Assessment No. 7296C, recommending
that the Tax Collector and Assessor be authorized to change the
records so as to show •,the corrected assessments on the
assessment roll and on the tax bills. This matter was referred
to Committee No. 5 for a report.
Deed from L. H Grjeb
A report was received from the Board of Yorks approving
a deed from L. H. and Arne M.' Grieb, correcting an exsor in
description in the deed from . said parties to the City of Palo_
Alto dated October 21, 1930, the Board recommending that this deed
be accepted by the Council On motion of Collins and Bonham,
a resolution accepting this deed was passed by unanimous vote on
roll call.
Sprinkler System for:. Community theatre
A report: was received from :the. Board of Safety.: concurr-
ing with the recommendation of the Board of Works concerning: a
sprinkler system ;.for the Community ;Theatre, but reporting ;that, it
believes the recommendation .of John R. Douglas, Engineer of the
Boars of Fire. Underwriters, embodied: in a letter of August 15,
1933, should be the ultimate plan and carried to execution as soon
as possible.
v
•
A ." report was receivea from Committee No. 1 on this matter,
recommending that the recommendation of the Board. of Works that
au' itemof $1395.00 be included in the 1935-36 budget for the
installation of a sprinkler system in the Community Theatre be
approved. On motion of Mitchell and Bonham, this report
approved `V and referred to the budget committee.
Resolution on Parking at City Hall
report was received from. the Board of Safety recommenc-
ing the adoption of a resolution regulating parking in the area
insidethe property line of the city hall. hesolution No. 1079,
approving, the resolution of the Board of Safety on this matter,
was read, and on "motion of Mitchell and Judson, was passed by
unanimous vote on roll call.
quest for Transfer in malice Funds
k request of the Board of safety for a transfer of 4325.3U
from the Police cieneral Find to the Equipment Fund was referred to
Committees No. 2 and No. 4.
vas
r ppropriation for Comoietion of Airport
A report was received from Oommittee. No. 1 recommencing
that an additional appropriation of 42500.00 be made to complete
the work on the airport, according to request made by the Boc._a
of works. Reference was .made to the report of Committee Igo. 4
at the last meeting ofthe Council recommending an appropriation
of 43500.00 for this purpose, and to the fact that •1000.00 of
this amount was allowed by the council at the last meeting.
On motion of Thoits and Bonham, an additional
appropriation of $2500.00 was appropriated :from the Plaza Funa, by
unanimous vote on " roll call.
Re Protection to Outside Properties
At." report was received from Committee No. 1 concurring
in the recommendation of the Board of Works that police and fire
protection should be extended to city properties lying o:utside t::e
city limits. This was referrea to the Board of Safety and
Committee No 2.
-Butane.
Plant Gas iJistribu;,ing Center
Committee No. l reported that it has given consideratiell
to, the recommendation of the Board of it'iorks that the Butane r iant
be roved to a site adjacent to the Power house, ana asks for
further time for consideration, which was granted.
)oening of wasaing..ton hvenue
.report was received from Committee JAo. 1 recommencing
that the Board: of Works be asked to canvass the property .owners
involved inthe matter of opening Washington .venue to Webster
Streetwith: a view, to starting a street opening procedure. on
motion. of Molts and Mitchell, this report was approved.
Ramona Buiidiq1L, Inc.
Committee No. 1 reported that the% request of the Ramona
Building, Inc. through its representative, gvery. Rove, is
permissible. under the present building ord iances and therefore
no,:cha.nge.;in ordinances is recommended. On motion of Mitchell
and - Judson, this report was approved.
Baseball Field 0 -�ir%c, '
Lighted.
k report was received from Committee No. 3 reco.. nerx it
the lighted baseball field be located in hl Camino Park.
A motion
recommend,
certain c:
of commit
of this ai
withdrawn.
reso.Lutio.:
providing
Park, sub j
was adootec
4
the lights
be appropri
Works be re
this natter
a board reel
Une:A'ee
that the po
by the Kayo)
June 3Jt h.
for relief 1
Committee_
00e00 was
fund :eor tni
the approval
project super
i35. It ti.,
an motion o
payment auth,
composed of t
Council, info
support of tzj
relation to t
further study
.uocation
The
Community no e
reference to z
Veterans Bui Lc
this office it
to enable the
ferilig witht'h t�
e Ilea Cross
..tt-er,
25.dC
d to
inn ,
to
4
on
g
re
the
ant
a
rs'- A report was received from the Special Lommittee,
r composed of the chairmen of. the five standing committees of the
On eou.1ci.l, informing ` the :Council. that it has heard a.n argument in
support of the petition 'of' the Pale Alto Bar Association in
relation to the . office ; of City Attorney, and requests time fo.r
further study of this matter.
0 vocation o; tmpioyment .Office
re Thee special Committee on dispositiony recommendation
} of they ofd
�.1. �-"cm :unity 'mouse submitted the following ing Jr ecoW.mendati on with
+elerence to the Locs.tion- of the Employment J ±ice= ;,, .� Y That the
-ett.ra.rs ,adding Commission be requested to provide quG,rters. for
:is office in the southwest wing of the Veterans Bui.lding; that
enable the Commission to make such provision .i.ithout inter
cring with the space reservations" heretofore made for the use of
ilea Cross and the: SERA, the Commission be authorized to use
A motion was made by J udson, seconded by Stephens, that this,
recommendation' be approved.. Councilman alitchell referred to
certain conditions agreed to by;:the baseball players. at ,the :meeting
of (-o mittee No. 3 and suggested, that the motion include the terms
or this agreement. A.� ter discussion, the above motion was "'
withdrawn, ana the ` CityAttol.ney was requested to prepare a
resor.utior, on this matter..`
Later, the City Attorney presented a resolution
providing that the lighted' baseball field be located in El Camino
Park, subject to the following conditions
i. That all activities in connection with said baseball
field be discontinued at 10 p.m. on eacxl evening.
2. i'hat screens to screen the field from El Camino
Real be erected at the Cost of the players, which
screens are to be " taken down after each game..
That the policing of automobile parking areas be
done at the expense of the baseball players.
4. That if serious complaint arises from the Hospital,
the matter will be reconsidered.
On motion of i.itcnell ana Bonham, this Resolution aio.1C8O
was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.
1he matter of an appropriation to pay for installing
the lights was discussed, and 'Counoi man Lelly moved that 4300.00
be appropriated for this purpose and that the Board of rublic
Works be requestedto proceed with the installation. Action on
this matter was deferred because an additional appropriation to
a board requires a vote of ten members, and only nine were present.
Jnemoioyment Relief
A report was received from Lom.mittee :Jo. 6 recommending
tat the policy of providing for emergency relief as requested
by the alayor's Committee on Unemployment ixelief be continued to
June 60th. Committee »o, 4 approved the appropriation of E100.00
for relief for the month of -June as requested by the Mayor's
Committee. Ln motion or Thoits and Mosher, the appropriation of
k=•(.;).00 was made from the unappropriated balance of tae general
i un d .lor this purpose, by unanimous' vote on roll call.
A report was received from Committee ago. 6 recommending
:.:ie apps•ovai of payment of sewing machine rental in. uhe sewing
project supervised' by the Viornen'S Service LeaguF.; up to April 1,
_ 35. It was reported that the amount of this bill was 424.00.
On :notion of Mosher and the report was approvea and the
payment authorized, by unanimous vote on roll call.
Further Time on Petition of Bar A s-sociation
e
it
for, that purpose. the space heretofore designated'for the storage
requirements of `the ecreation Department; that ' to enable the
Commission . to prov:;tde other space for the needs : of the Recreation
Department, t here; be' released for that purpose the southwest room
of the enclosed porch on the northwest side of the main hall.
approved.
Re
On motion of Mitchell and Bonham, this report was
1erts o
City officials
Relating to the terms of city officials who were
appointed on;J1L y 2, 1934, for indefinite terms, the Special Pre::at
Committee appointed at the last meeting to consider this matter
recommended that the terms of all officials appointed on .juy 2,
1934, be made to end with the forthcoming reorganization meeting
on July 1, 1935, and that the Council return at that meeting to hbser
its former practice of appointing officials for one year only.
On motion of Mosher and Judson, this recommendation was adopted by Elect
unanimous vote on roll: call.
Meeting of Peninsula League
uouncilm.an Collins reported that the next meeting of the
Peninsula League of Municipalities would be held i`cr Santa Clara
on Thursday, . une 6, 1935.
Instructions to Aledtion officers
At the suggestion, of the tellers rho'canvassed the
election returns of day_. L4tr1, the City Clerk was re 1uested to
give instructions to the election officers in regard to the
preparation of the tally lists, it being apparent that some of the
election boards had difficulty in making out the returns correctly,
in the spaces provided on the first page of the tally lists.
Md.j our .ent to may 26, 1935
On motion of Thoits and Mosher, it was directed that
the Council adjourn to meet at 7:60 a.m., on Ihursday, May 23,
1935, in the city hall, for the purpose of canvassingthe re -turns
of the second election to be held on May 21st, and for the
transaction of any other business to come before the Council.
at 7;61) p.
Mayor Thor
Attest:
Adjourned.
City Clerk
Ap p r ov e d -1
Mayor
returns of
election o
Louncilmer
Council to
reconvened
cast was f
for each
the highest
Goddard and
the report
general mud
on motion
on roll ca..L :
Glenn 4. Go;
councilmen i
4etter from
h
inviting the
is a Fourth
referred to
"etter
tine Y.. . C..,.
en remov i. ng
t'o Bi Camillo
for soft bl
?rOtet
t�
-
protesting a
namona Otresi
chicken yarn:
Board of Sai