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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06101935City Ball, Palo Alto, California, June 10, 1935. The- Council of the City of Palo Alto met in regular session on ;this: date at 7:30 p.m., with Mayor Thomas presiding. Roll call as: follows: Present: Blois, Bonham; Cathcart, Collins, Crandall, Judson, Kelly, iviitcheii, Mosher, Thoits, Thomas. ;Absent: Brown, Green, Stephens, Wood. The minutes of the meetings of May 6, 13, 15 and 23, 1935, were approved. Petition for Annexation. A petition was received from certain residents in the area bounded by Middlefield Road, Matadero Creek, Arroyo Road and Embarcadero noad, requesting that this area be annexed to the City of Palo Alto. This was referred to the City Attorney and City Clerk for a report upon the procedure to be taken in this matter. Petition for hefuild of Taxes A petition was, received from badie L. Jackson ana Anita L.' Byxbee requesting a 'refund of taxes for the years 1932-33 and 1933-34, in the amount of $22.50 for each year, under the provisions of Section:` ;804 of the eolitical Code. The City Attorney explained that a portion of the property owned by the petitioners is occupied by a public utility, and that the portion so occupied is exempt from taxation provided a proper return is made to the State Board of Equalization and a claim made to the City Assessor for such exemption; that this was done for the year 193435 but that the proper return was not made for the years 1932-33 and 1953-34, and in his opinion these taxes are not refundable, but he thought it advisable to have this confirmed by the Board of Equalization before taking action. The matter vas referred to the City Attorney fora report. Extension of Washington Avenue A communication was received from-E.R. Lovett, w'orward- ing a letter dated May 31, 1935, addressed to the Board of Y,orks,. from himself andother property owners _ on Washington Avenue, concerning the proposed extension of Washington Avenue to webste_. Street. This letter stated that the ` signers were in favor of the extension :of Worthington Avenue but did not favor any plan such as the formation of an assessment district which wonld result in any additional cost to the residents of Washington Avenue. A report was received from the Board of V orks on this matter, stating that the property owners are unwilling to share in the expense of this extension and therefore it is not 'possible ;toopen the street under present street opening acts. On motion: of Mitchell and Mosher, this report was accepted and placed on file. A short time later, it was learned that :several citizens were present who, wished to address the Council on this matter. Dr. J. G. Sharp spoke ana suggested that d setback line might established on the property ad.joi,ning the proposed extension oz Washington Avenue so that the portion of the property facing the proposed extension would be considered to be the front of tH. property present. at the prl automobile in writinj Commissiox northwest now cons ,-r the propos present. the lot no extension a building building pi property al at length Webster St:' Council ree buil d ing Is were presen property. ow opening of*M Planning Co: suggested t. work the mgt Cz motion to ec file was c?. and the en.t Committee Nc Laver Community Ce, bE added to ' oemmunity Ho necessitate^. Center which Committee No. appropriated ea balance 01 Kelly, this r authorized, r o o oniti free Special Re ire and requestix, June 30, 1935 this request,, recommended to from the Conti these reports by unanimous , .rd- ter - the property present. se��t; dead �,�, a � { he "uror obhe yr 'se t 2s suggested Fr opert " z"� writing Mrx�� xes" T,.�2� ��`�'�'�� �� Leo that rQntIt�� . , oo1Z �.. Usk :"Washington a ular Sao t for "o ,o er Street as t ilLtoh ey s bked r due space provided northwest ;,r y <]"ue 3 xed too put s the . ntv "F turni es f e e b re.k=2' ges of s:tvUr• xe< osr�222g;at; proposedeon tjxl fls proposed hw • extension, �, ex �, e 4e nso axedexpects ex�s . lot b en op o xte.med ion, there , . e ' being o place on, of asn� used Washington e that sat setback his tex '-erx e opening Avenue,and' ��`,�o�, w-E�o,.��� .ftz.z, �la�� garage to � �f a and 4c.� � be' e o � �S'e�` e �. -� ab�� ha i. , e -he str e It be k �` z d+- ext . roper pe ovet sd e wo wag e for . "'doat a to e eyd 4�'sse Zd beb to c se the length present =avo�, o��� ��r�1���: "he ��t, o��� requesting A,�r"-� � �� �' ,�, x Yxe E eF,. }yp X10 e,Ya } " pia - l Council �(,,Z'��,y„ � '""'�"',�,�5 �-h'. �}- the � �v,yroetof ds h„i{,�t�'i�(,�n owner �}`�� �y,�" Aven era `� deciadjoininsion Scott, owner facing spokbLL e o unpresent h Aug held at this meet the property ro Y owners F 4p. meeting r Fe t , lls Paul r ad if asked �prope rye d to he e'er. o h s t e as p Z suggested C the street, �r Yancey, ofy Car t s��est o- zs �e a' another ash` ' rePrnere work �d � s.q. a seed that pro o�,, 'v Loxx fAvenue. t ex zx the matter out actior beforea decision e matter zixm' d a i7a� eta • g Plann work to a er to the, satisfaction ayed s a :1 o oa 2s d boned. the accept e, ze he `�n��e�;�� sM ��r��'d � ������ea� o� d�� concerned. Ma3%o: Ca e N zre mat ' 0 refer o F and Mosher, onoerxzed • ° a ter bu� o 1 '�'For e Zoard of y`'z`x�' arz inal 11 � ``�°A� �o Co 1a , Core Bo xg x 0 e it ° `` ty communication o i s `` '�-� z V o s � s M2, ;end ` 'a s ��, ,. � a,ocied o the Supplies �..o��ss�o was r-eu e t Center Eo center pP1 es re elved, .<r :. ey � L � �'i (, �� Q' �+ Ljtl <3,j�{X u`"' �`,`;�,t� o,2lj � Via rwhich heoa . , s 4ccount ' ti a /1 r(�'�' }���� r�� y, ��.i d� ��7y��F�A%�'e section �� that the � Chairman of `.C�rulp , 1°� . `. 1 . . not �ycc o 7'sf.ln No ♦ Z t'- (A� Q 4.�� v *4^r t the eu, ha �ri� t WreoQ beL e4 es 1n ' to the n c $125.00 u 'e r a a. , r e exb that '. movingto the overdrawn Com G�-,-� � �,�� ��es��d �x� .� 4.rwe dra o r- this general re rye= Nan � ax.ed eoo s to be s QxFrom th ap er g � � ' ry �a���� ���� fund. �� �� taken � $J.6.00 � � • CCreceived �� e� � ed from �`'r`� ?r�: e.. us vote approved motion o she `� o o on ra and o h�, dFproFr ----- Special e all • app 22 ropriation iat-- �`�cwa� a���r� ���Or .read ��`�'� C-':�r�� `roFr atio�� ntative of the ry'C S requesting a sum not � " yor `� CO e< �o s and exceed s'concerning oxao m• R d «d Committee d 4C er a a . r za contingent he sow © ee c; bd CC `or .. ,he 1},``Yde, CS c ry des reports were r� o ®• pJ be app, so afro �ted a reportis sap Clinic zzom rote od�yr �:.t approved a� �,�� �.��3"Y; Of � ��� for ed r� request i�' / o ,Z e� d Faso appropriation authorized, Lill for Palo Alto Folders A communication was received from the Chamber of Commerce concerning a reprint of the Palo Alto folders, and enclosing a bill from S1onaker: s Printing House in the amount of $130.00 as deposit on printing 10,000 folders, which was recommended for payment from the Publicity Fund. This was referred to Committee No. 5. Civic Dinner A communication was received from the Chamber of Commerce inviting the council members to attend a Civic Dinner on vkednesday, June 19th, in the Stanford Union; this being given in recognition of the fact that Palo Alto has won awards this year in three: national contests,- health, fire protection and traffic safety. The City Clerk was directed to acknowledge the communication and than the Chamber of Commerce for the invitation, and to -notify the councilmen again before the dinner occurs and ascertain the number who expect to attend. 4P.lication of James A. -bonier f . position :of life guard at the Palo Alto Municipal Pool was :referred to the Board of Public Works. . A letter: from James A. Bonier applyingfor the Dr. Wood the meeting. came at 8:20 p.m. and was present for part Legislative Bulletin of League Legislative Bulletin No. 111 concerning the passage of the °gasoline tax bill allocating an additional one -quarter cent of gasoline; tax funds to cities, and giving information in regard to other bills before the State Legislature, was received from. the League of California Niunicipalities. Reference was made in this bulletin to Senate Bill 1119 which provides for personal property taxes on automobiles to be collected by the State instead of by the: Cities ,and Counties as at present, in oraer to increase state revenues; the League representatives stating that if it appears that tie bill will pass in spite of protests from cities, they will. attempt -to have the measure amended so as to have a portion of thr revenue returned to the cities. A discussion was has as to whether any further action should be taken by the City in this matter, and a motion was made by Mosher and Kelly that the Mayor be authorized to take any action he sees ,fit. After further discussion in which it developed there was a difference of opinion on this matter, the motion was withdrawn and no action was taken. Offer of Sutter Packing Co. to Purchase Lots n letter was received from the Sutter Packing Compere' offering to purchase certain fractional lots lying between ele property of the Sutter Packing Company and the Southern Pacific Railroad, being Assessment Nos. 7050 to 7057 inclusive, for the suM of :$.80.00, these lots having been acquired by the CitY several years ago through tax delinquency. This was re - _ to the City Attorney, the Board of Works and Committee 0Oinion ;_o f Attorney on ivumber of Votes for Aoor r is communication was re response to a request of the co expressing his opinion. that all ceived from the City Attorney, and l at a previous 'meeting, appropriations out of funds actually ten membe ateoe composed Council, that the anQ that practice, the office but. that according' matter of preparing of a1; ' .�. iC1.C.L the rest c ing that tJ writers' c adopted by Bulletin Nc This was rt the Council courts in expected ;,h S.E.R.A. A. 1,a appropriate was not con; cost and thl.� Committee N. 'Repair 4 the Council a special .c baseball ble time.to be ;; (=hanein an appropriai services in and $100.00 1 A -+mac-e A r ing ', that air.., Company and t the removal o, and iiadiefit' Com='ietee vo. -verdr =1- � r� e actually budgetedcan only be .made Upon the affirmative vote of ten members of the Council. This report was placed on file. Reoort of Special Committee on. Resolution of Bar Association, x report was received from the special committee, composed of the ,chairmen of the five standing committees of the ounc :l, upon the resolution of the Palo Alto Isar Association. that the office of City r ;torney be , made a Peal -time position' na that the incumbent be prohibited from engaging in private orec t,ice, the committee recommending that the proposal to make office of City Attorney a full-time position be not adopted 'all; that he be continued on a part tine basis and budgeted eccoraingly. The committee .transmitted data bearing upon the eatter of compensation for the use of Committee No. 4 iri s preparing the budget, for the City nttorney's office. On motion' o� .kitchel;. and Mosher,' this report was adopted. Councilman Wood left at 8:45 p.m. and was absent during the rest of the meeting. odc for .;sta.11ation of ,Oil Burning Equipment A report was received from the Board of Works recommend- ing that trxe 1934 edition of; the National Board of Fire Under- v,riters' Code for the installation of oil burning equipment be eeeopted by the City of Palo Alto with the changes suggested in Bulletin No. 86, a copy of which was transmitted to the Council. This was referred to Committee No. 1. iiieati.n: Horseshoe Courts n report was received from the board of Works advising 'Lhe Co1.4.cll that the construction cost of lighting the Horseshoe Courts in Ri.nconada' Park will be about $100..00, and that it is expected that these courts will: be built in the near suture by S.E.R.A. labor. It was noted that some time ago a sum was appropriated to construct the courts, but the cost of lighting, .s not considered at that time. The matter of this additional cyst and the advisability of :_Lighting the courts was referred to ommittee No. 1. Repair of zasebal l Bleachers A report was receivedfrom the Board of Works request: ng tre Council for a transfer of $300..00 from Account #155-02 to e special account for materials to rebuild and repair the bz ieba11 bleachers, all labor with the exception of the foreman's z.ime to be S. .B.._. labor. This was referred to Committee tee No. ohaneing %ervices in Veterans' Building report :from. the Board of Works, recommending that an appropriation of V350.OU be made to change electric end gas services in the Veterans' Building, $250.00 or electric service's .-41 $10000 for gas services, was referred to Corellittee No. 4 41eree tents for Removal of Poles A report was received : from: the Board of ',corks recommend - leg that "agreements with the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph voelpany and the Pacific Gas ana Electric. Company in connection with =e removal of poles on University Avenue between Cowper Street end Middlefield Road be acce ted. Co,.;n_;tee N 1. P This matter was referred too. . dveraraf t in Electric: Division A report was received from the Board of ?'corks recommend- 164 ii j NarsulAnuornmirropreom ing that $3000.00 be transferred from the operating expense budget of the Gas Division to the operating and capital budgets of the Electric Division to take care of an overdraft which will occur at the end of June, 1965. This was referred to Committee No. 4. Deficit in Sewer Maintenance Accounts A report was received from the Board of Works recommenc- ing that in order to make up the deficit of about i'600.00 in the sewer maintenance ;.accounts, transfers be made in such proportion as the City Auditor may determine from the sewer construction accounts ;144 and 147. This was referred to Committee No. 4. Deficit in Sewage Treatment Plant Operating_ osts A report was received from the Board of Works recommend- ing that in order to make up the deficit of about $1200.00 in the sewage treatment plant operating costs, transfers. of : funds be made from the Street Department accounts 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 1.37, 138 and 139 in proportion to be determined : by the City. Auditor. This was referred to Committee No. 4. x'layn for Sick Leave A report was received fro'n the Board of ' Safety request- ing that the Council re,fer the matter of sick leave to the Board of igorks and board of. Safety for joint study and p,ropesal of a plan. On motion of Bonham and Cathcart, this request was approved and the matter was referred to the Board of -Vrorks, Board of Safety-. and Library Board. Ordinance Amendi, . ... Sec. 225-226 4 report was. received from the board of ' Safety approvi and recommending . f°or adoption a proposed ordinance amenci ng Sections '225 and :220 of Codified Ordinance This oraira:zce vas giv"en'fi.rst reading and referred to Committee itio. 2. Resolution on Saxi Stands A report was receives from the Board of Safety approving a resolution establishing and regulating the use of certain tax:. stands, and recommending that this resolution be approved by the City Council.' This resolution was read and referred to Committee No. 2. Mr. Lorenz Costello, attorney for one of taxi companies, was present and stated that he would like to address the -committee on this matter. the Transfer for Tyoewriter,B.eaith Dont. A report was received from. the Board of safety requesting the ; sum •of 4115.00 be transferred from the unexpendec portion of the salary and supply accounts of the Health Depertee At to the Equipment Account for the purchase of a typewriter. Reports were received' from Committees No. 2 and quo. 4 recommend- ing that this transfer be authorized. On motion, of Thoits and Kelly, these reports were approved and the transfer authorized, by unanimous vote on roll call. s:'ransfer for EcuiDmen.t for Fire Deof. t report was received from the Board of Safety reuu_st- . ng the Gouncii for a transfer of $500.00 from the unexpended portion, of the salary account of the = ire Department to the Equipment Account' for the purchase of certain needed equipment for drilling purposes. heports were received from ComY ittees No. 2 and 4 "recommending that this transfer be author izc e an motion of Mitchell and Bonham, this transfer was authorized by unanimous ., . ooro� that the rE of $250.00 program fox acted upo:.i and recomme this purpos Blois, thes recommended Hearin, A that the coz protest of site near t. this request ADDrCar A' that an appr and alterati submitted a ; to exceed $2, of the Gener; Bonham, thes1 authorized, 1 -v r e tied A x the recommend fire fighti Airport. c) approved. Pic i to the recomm+ protection be limits, the cc protection ar•E necessary. Bonham, the rE file, a copy r lre -- ______�P r o r re the matter of it is Hof the Commua.i ty The ..- i` that adecw tion of a spriz protective zee,: the direction: c further, that i Code provision curtain for the This and Mosher, tae referred to Com unanimous vote on roll call. ,,opropr1at1on for Dedication. 'Program for Airport K report was received from Committee No. 1 recommending that the request of the Chamber of Commerce for an appropriation of $250.00 to cover a portion of the expenses of the dedication.: program for the opening of the airport on the Fourth of July be acted upon favorably. Committee No. :4 also approved this request and recommended that this :sum of $250.00 be appropriated for this purpose from the Contingent Fund. On notion of Thoits and Blois, these reports were approved and the appropriation made as recommended, by unanimous vote on roll call. Hearing by Committee No. 1 on Butane Plant n report was received from Committee No. 1 recommending tnat the committee be authorized to hold a public hearing on the prote>t of 0. H. Dahl to the location of the Butane i'1ant on a site near the Power Rouse. On motion of Mitchell and j udson,. ti is request was granted. Appropriation to i`iepair Veterans' Building A report was received from Committee No. 1 recommending that an appropriation not to exceed $250.00 be made for repairs and aiteration.;> to the Veterans' Building. Committee luo. 4 submitted a report on this matter, recommending that a sum. not to exceed $250.00 be ;appropriated from the unappropria,ted balance or the General Fund for this; 'purpose. On motion of Tho:its and Bonham, these reports were approved and the appropriation authorized, by unanimous vote on roil call. fire Apparatus for Airport A report was received from Committee ha. 2 approving the recommendation of the Board of Works that the Ford chemical lire fighting apparatus be retained for use at the Palo Alto airport. On :motion of Collins and iitchell, this report was approved. rrctection to Outside Properties .s report was received .from Committee No. 2 with regard to the recommendation of the Board of Works that fire and police protection be given for city properties outsiae of the city limits, the committee reporting that since protection are actually given fire and police y no further action appears to be necessary. This was discussed, and on motion of mop rn, the report of the committee was Collins placed and accepted and p.;.uced on file, a copy to be forwarded to the Boara of Works. Protection at : Community Theatre . report was received from Committee No. 2 concerning ;;he matter of fire protection at Community Theatre, stating that it is of the opinion that a serious fire hazard exista at the Coaau i' ty Theatre owing to back-stageconditions and recommend:- Lig that adequate budgetary provision be made for the installa- tion. of a sprinkler system and for the taking of such other protective measures as may, upon competent investigation under one direction of the Board of safety, be found to be necessary, further, that in order to comply with Section 701 of the Building Code provision be made in - the forthcoming for "� budget an asbestos curtain for the stage of the Community Theatre. - as matter was -;discussed, and on motion of Mitchell and r osner, the report and recommendations ons were adopted, and referred to Committee No 4 for .consideration in the next budget. Transfer in Police Fund report was received. from Committee No. 2 approving a request -of the Board of Safety for transfer of 4325.00 from the Police General Fund to. the Equipment Fund for the purchase of a- camera; and supplies, and recommending that thistransfer be authorized. Committee No. 4 also approved this transfer of funds. On motion of Thoits and Bonham, these reports Were approved and the transfer authorized by vote on roll call, all voting Aye except Kelly who voted No, and Crandall not voting. Committee Report on Library Budget A report was received from Committee approving the ` budget submitted by the Library Board for :..935--36. This was placed on file. Salary Appropriation for Recreation Activities A r.eport ,-- .as received from Committee: N. 3 approving the request of the Community Center Commission for . a.t_ additional, salary appropriation of $180.00 to continue the City's recreation activities prior to June 30, 1935. Committee e(o. 4 made a similar recommendation. On motion of Judson and, .00nham, these reports., were approved and the appropriation authorized by vote on roll call, all voting Aye except Mosher, who voted l'4o. Appropriation for Unemployment Relief Committee report was received from. Committee No. "4. recommenai. that $150.00 be appropriated from the unappropriated balance of the .General ,Fund for the administration of the Mayor's Committee on Unemployment relief for the month of June. On motion of Collins and Judson, this report was accepted and the appropria- tion authorized by unanimous vote on roll call. 1,e ter from. Unemployment Comnii tee . communication was received from the Mayor's Committee on Unemployment, Relief, addressed to the Mayor, concerning the policy of continuing the committee for the next fiscal year, requesting certain appropriations to- be bud,getea for the : committee's expenses next year, and suggesting that the :Community Kitchen be continued. This was referred to Committee No. 3 for a report. A portion of the same letter asking that the Mayor's Committee be reimbursed in the sum of $19.00 expended by the Community Kitchen for electric light and power for the 5. .P.. .. shoe repair project was referred to Committee 4vo. 4. Transfer for` Typewriter, Comm pity Center A report was received from Committee No. 4 recora:l:enc- na that the request .of the Coi.wiun..ty Center Commission for a transfer of $25.00 from riecreation Account i 122-9 i to Account #120-99 for the purpose of purchasing a typewriter for the secretary's office be approved, aria that the transfer be authorized. On motion of Thoits. and Judson, this transfer v .5 authorized by unanimous vote on roll call. Reports- of Officials The reports of the Department: of Public. Safety, the month" of iday, 1935, v.ere Department of .public Works, t"=e the Auditor and Treasurer for received and placed on file. Co that the certain c in order 1934-35 0 these err from the edit shell was given call.' Bills s .were appro unanimous p oint. T:. Center Surve' authorized b: :Mr. W. H. Or: formerly Supc now a member Miss Stewart Girls l s in t _.p an outline :c: consicerec:< by the admi.nis tr Center and y+�ct.V� 'C4r y_mvor a;y '1 j member of the period from J1 and Ios hem', t1 member and on Ti 1...e of the motion Friday, • ur_eJ" Oe retest; Correction of Errors in Assessments report was received from Committee No. 5 recommending ending t at the Assessor and Tax Collector b.e authorized to make certain changes on the assessment roll and on the tax records in order to correct assessmentsfor the years 1933-34 and 1934-35 on Assessment No. 7296C and assessment iuo. 72 t 96.r, these errors in assessments being explained in communications from the City Assessor under date of May 7. 1935. On motion of 1itcnel1 and Mosher, this report was approved and authorization was given to correct these assessments by unanimous vote on roll call. Bill s _Ao,proved On motion of Moshere an_d Mitchell, the following bills 'r.ere approved and warrants authorized in payment of the same, b enanimous vote on roil call: Y zancroft-Whitney Company A. Carlisle & Co. eiawyers Cooperative eublieh.Co. Palo Alto Times r. LLr nsfer. & Storage Co. Professional Bldg.. Inc. SLonaker's Printing House F. 4. Stuart Mayor hart C. Thomas City of Palo Alto Pacific Tel. c Tel.Co. City of Palo Alto City of Palo Alto Palo Alto Hospital Palo Alto News Palo Alto Times Palo Alto. Times R. L. Polk &. Co. 1'rank E. Wilber Co 2.92 155.48 10.00 163.00 42.00 25.00 22.55 40.48 25.00 20.20 8.95 100.00 19.70 1191.50 184.00 1.50 183.00 16.40 228.37 ointment of Community Center Survey Committee The Mayor announced the personnel of the Community ommit appointment authorizedter by � � ���e,�tr ,`�pAoz�ntm � of vYhic�: was recently o en the council: N. P. Neilson, chairman; H. Orion and Miss Charlotte Stewart. i r. Orion was formerly Superintendent of 4ecreation at Santa 04. a member of the California Barbara and is = D ; Stewart ,-e fornia State Department of Education; t is Supervisor of Health and Physical t =: s ie the high schools of Salt Lake City. e: izC r for a== outline *�e had pre �Y • The Mayor read pared relative to different problems to be considered by the Survey Committee, which will deal only with e administrative set-up and future program of the Comm;u.nity Venter and will not concern itself with personnel. Leave Granted to Board Member, `l 11 ice' ; osaintment ,. to Boan a of Works The Mayor read a request from Prof. Eugene D � � Grant, oe the Board of Works for, a leave of absence forthe `eri.oc from June 15. to August 15, 1935. On motion of and Liosher, this request was granted. udson The ayor nominated Dr. . o.. M Chas. L. Marx asa. temporary' tuber i the Board of} ot':ks airing the absence of Prof. Grant, and. on motion of Tnoits and Judson, this appointment was confirmed On motion, the Council adjourned to meet at 7:30 v une 28, 1935, in the city hall.. ttest• - City' Cl r=ppro.ved Mayor