HomeMy WebLinkAbout11221934City Hall, Palo Alto, California,
November 22, 1934.
:.The: Counci:l: ;of the City of Palo Alto met in special
session on this date at 7:30 p.m., in r espense to the following
c4.11:
" s Mayor of the City or Palo Alto, I hereby call a
special meeting of the Council of the City of Palo
ellto,to convene at the council chamber in the
city hall in the City of Palo Alto, at the hour of
7:30 p.m., Thursday, November 22, ..1934, nor the
purpose of considering reports of committees
concerning matters connected with the S.E.R.A., and
such other matters as may come before the, Council . to
mayor Thomas presided and roll call was as follows:
Present: Bois, Bbaam, Cathcart, Collins, Crandall, Green,
Kelly, Thoits, Thomas, Wood.
Absent. Christensen, Judson, aitchel l , .ocher, Stephens.
Painting Project
report was received from Committee No. i recommending
the approval of the . Board of eublic Works' report to do painting
on certain City buildings as an S.E.R.A. project.
Referring' to ;t is matter, Committee No. 4 recommended
that $950.00 be appropriated from the unappropriated balance of
the General Fund, to which is to be added 4250.00 from the
;hospital budget, this for the purpose of carrying oat the S.E.R.A.
painting project as outlined by the Board of Works.
On motion of Wood and Kelly, these recommendations were
approved .and the appropriation allowed from the unappropriated
balance, by unanimous vote on roll call.
Mayfield Library and Assembey Euied.ing
A report was received from Committee quo. 1 recommending
to the Council that the report of the special committee of which
Mr. C. E. Ashworth is chairman, to build a library and assembly
bui.:id.'ing`in Hollywood Park, be approved and an appropriation made•
A report was also received from Committee 'o. 4 on tail
matter;, statingthat it has considered the proposal relating to the
construction of a. branch library baUding in Hollywood Park, _he
proposal being .that the labor will be supplied by the S.E.R.A.,
that the S.E.R.A. will provide $1500.00 to help pay for materials
used, that 4700.00 has .been raised by residents of the Mayfield
District which it is proposed to use to purchase materials, tae
remainder of the cost of materials, $x:200.00, to be provided by
the City. Committee Ao. 4 recommended that this program be
approved, and that a sum not to exceed $2200.00 be appropriated
from the Plaza Fund to be used for building a branch library
building in Hollywood Park.
The/ayor referred to the appointment of the special
committee of which` Mr. Ashworth is chairman, to consider the
matter of a club house for the rrjayfield District, and pointed cut
that later the building or a branch library was injected into t e
proposal; that there had not been time for reference to ehe Lib: r;r
Board or Committee 3. Mr. W. C. Thoits, Chairman of the
Library Board, was present and stated that he knew nothing a:- Lt --.
the proposed :pl n as: the Library Boerd had not been consulted; but
that, a new : branch library is needed for the Mayfield District an: =e
could see n
S.E.R.A. prc
Board would
Tk
representati
proposed bud
was read, t c
constructed
Tb
the Planning
Terrace as.;,
reported tha
had been con
concerning a
Sherman Scho
Time Committ
Commission a.
in this proj
Hollywood Pa
Committee in
- A
this Counci__
Relief- Admin.
for a Librar'
Mayfield Dish
by. the.ayfii
with the cos
building to i
by' unanimous
ThE
to the Board
Committee Yoe
tion to the C
any work is s
plans.
A r
to the Courci
for the music
S.E.R.A. prof
contingent up
Cale governmen
Works be ast:e
to the terms
Ref,
that X8250.00
75% of require
No. 3, to be i
the occupancy
Works, it beii
materials wil.
ArE
ing that the C
Air Services y
T e
Ltd., for a to
at an annual r
read by the Ci
discussed at i
execution of t
the amount of
matter of opti
ccuLd see no objecti on to mar:iug the appropriation so that' the,,
SB.R.A. project could be :.stared. arid: in the meantime the Library
Board euld have an CppprtUhitytaeeetudy the proposed plans.
The report .of the special committee,wnich met with
representatives of the: -iayf,ie1d., residents inregard to the
proposed building to accommodate a 'l.ibr .ry and club facieities,
was read, the committee recommending that this building be
constructed as an SeE.Akee project..
This matter was discussed at length. 1t was stated that
;,n.e Planning Commission, had approved Hollywood Perk in College
;terrace as the site for the proposed ..buiiding. Councilman Kelly
reported that he had been informed that the Leisure Time Committee
end been considering the matter and might have suggestions to make
concerning anther location for the building, perhaps near the
Sherman School. Mr. Leslie le `yichols, member of the Leisure
Time Committee, was present and upon .learning that the r fanning
Commission and the iayfield V omen) s C. ub,which was participating
in this project, preferred that the building be iocated in
Hollywood Park, withdrew the suggestions of the Leisure Time
Committee in regardto another site.
A motion was :made by Thoits, seconded by Bonham, that
i;nie council, in the desire to cooperate with the State Emergency
Relief Administration, appropriates the sum of $2200.00 to be used
for a Library and kssembiy Building to be constructed in the
leefield District as an S.E.R.A. project, $700.00 to be furnished
by Lhe 14layf ield Woman's Club and $15u0.0O by the S.E.R.A., together
with the cost or .labor by the S.E.R.A., the final plans of the
building to be approved by the Council. This motion was .passed
by unanimous vote on roll call.
s"'he matter .of the plans for this building was referred
to the Board of Works, the Library board, Committee JAo. i and
Committee loo. 3, with the •request that .a full report and recommenda-
tion to .he Council be received from each of these bodies before
any work is started, the. Co:z,^ci1 to give final approval to the
via ns .
A report was received. from Committee No. 1 recommending
:e ;;he Council the approval of the Board of Public Works' layout
:for the municipal airport, that the :airport be developed as an
S.E.R.A. eroject, that an appropriation of 48000.00 be :jade
contingent~ upon a government grant of $2750.00 for materials and
the government provide de the labor, ' and that the Board of rubl: c
r'dor 4S be asked to negotiate , with the Associated Air Services as
the terms or an agreement.
Referring to this matter, Committee Ao. 4 recommended
that x;0250.00 be set aside from the Plaza d`und for the purchase of
75% ,o- required materials for the. completion of S.E.R.A. Project
No. 3, to be expended only provided a . satisfactory contract for
one occupancy of the airport -:. s concluded by the Board of Public`
Yorks, it being understood: that the remaining 25% oe the cost of
zeter. ials will be supplied by the S.E.R.A.
A report was received from . .the board of Works reco.mmend
t=iat the City, enter into an agreement with the Associated
Services for the leasing of the municipal airport -
The pr000sed agreement with the Associated Air Services,
e„., for a. ;ten.-ye...r lease oi.-i06.92 acres of the airport site,
at an annual rental of ; 1200..00 beginning July 1, 1935, was
read by the City Attorney;e The_ details of the agreement were
ciscussed' at _'length, and q:uestions' relating to the date of the
execution :of the lease;, ;the matter of insurance risk involved,
^e amount of taxes to be`: paid by theCity each year, and the
aatter of option to re -lease were considered.
f•
Councilman Thoits suggested that the proposed lease be' Cutno
amended' to -provide that the Council shall have the right to sub-
lease portions of the same land, or permit the erection of build, rgs to the Cou
or establishment of businesses for purposes which would not be complaint
in conflict with the terms of the lease. A representative of services.
the Associated Air Services, who was present, stated that he on this za.
understood that such a provision was to be included in the lease. follow ed b:
The City Attorney stated that such an amendment to the lease collection
involved some study and to lease should be prepared in one proper be upheld.
form before passed by. the Council.
Councilman Cathcart moved that the reports of the two
committees, ;:recommending the appropriation upon, the condition that
a satisfactory agreement can be made, be approved. ' This motion
was seconded by Wood and discussed. The . ayor explained that
the approval of the S.E.R.A. upon this project can not be secured
unless the appropriation is duac.e by the Council, ana that a
grantmay not be made by the S.E.R.A. i. the matter is delayed.
The motion was then withdrawn.
Councilman Thoits suggested that the appropriation be
made at this time, which will be sufficient authority for the
project to be started by the S.E.R.A., and the lease agreement
with. the Associated Air. Services can then be perfected and approved.
A motion m_as made by Thoits, seconded by Collins, that
this Council, desiring to cooperate with the State Emergency Grant
Relief Administration.. by furnishing work projects for utilizing -
unemployed labor, hereby appropriates the sum of $8250.00 from
the Plaza Fund, to be used in building a municipal airport in the adoptio.
accordance with details, as recommended in a report of the Boars of utility- fad:
Works, as , an S.E.R.A. project, w2'/5O.00 to be furnished by the The Board DJ
S.E.R...A.for materials, and ail labor to be furnished by the S.E.R. accepted.
A.o" This motion was passed by unanimous vote on roll call.
it was :Ls
give ;ne r;
event of ac
'v s acting
,Ir. Cu;hbex
he had agrE
house whicl
that the or
a little to
some other
of the gene
for bills o
Bi, is for Asphaltic Concrete this grant01
c
x report was received from Committee No. 1 recommending
payment of bills totalling $1424.35 for asphaltic concrete received
in 1933, `;as recommended by the Board of Works.
Committee JAo. 4 recommended that x.438.75 be appropriated
to pay for asphaltic concrete on the Post Office street widening
job, this to be charged to the unappropriated balance, and that
$985.60 be appropriated to pay for asphaltic concrete on the iJ-Z
Job, this to be charged to the Plaza Fund.
On motion of Wood and Bonham, these reports were
accepted and the appropriations made as recommended, by unanimous
vote on roll call.
Councilman Wood left at this time, 8:45 p.m., and v.as
during the rest of the meeting.
Christmas Season Li zhts
A report was received from Committee ;Ao 1 recommending
:the approval of " the policy of supplying energy and service
conuections-for Christmas street lights, during the Christmas
season irom November 30, 1534 to January 1, 1935.
Committee 14o. 4 approved of this matter and recomrnendeo
that the money used for this purpose be taken from the Street
-wighting Fund. On motion of Collins and Thoits, these reports
were approved.
On motion of Thoits and Bonham, this matter which has
by custom . become a :yearly expense, was referred to the Bound. o:L.
Works for consideration in the neat budget.
the rest
C;:
e St
A
that it migh
the rope Str
recommended
with the Cou
of u.1dertaki:
discussed, a:
Committee No
Photos-.
A ;
that an appr;
Contingent F1
block sheets
stored in to
tion was rece
and Bonham, t
was appropria
unanimous vot
t=at Plan A ivc,r.
of group
zorm4a for
3or, action
..men the act'
C utbbertson Complaint
A report was received from Committee ;AO. J. submitting.
to the Council the letter of . the City Attorney covering the
co:ipiaint of Mr. S. M. L, utxibertson in regard to cutting off utility
services. report was also received from the Board of Works
on this matter, with the recommendation that the procedure
followed by tne-ollection Division in endeavoring to secure
collection of an old • arrearage account in ir. Cuthbertson's name
be upheld.
The letter of the .City Attorney was read, stating that
t .as his opinion that the city ordinances areframed so as to
give trae right of shut --off to the Utilities Department in the
event of non-payment of bil i s, and that the utilities Department
:;as acting within its power. in ;shutting off utility services in
Mr. Cuthbertson's own home for the non-payment of bills fat which
he had agreed to be responsible for utj.Lities used in another
house which he owned. :ouaeij.man Cathcart expressed the thought
-.eat the ordinances as interpreted by the City Attorney may be
a little too severe, and that it might be possible to work out
some other system in cases of this nature.
After discussion, this matter together with the question
of the general policy .in cases where a:landlord is responsible
for bills of , tenants was referred again to Committee No. 1.
Gras.t of taseznent
A report was received from Committee No. 1 recommending
the adoption of a resolution accepting a grant of eases:; nt for
utility facilities from M. L . Pitman and Elizabeth D. Pitman.
The Board of Works also recommended that this grant of easement be,
accepted.
Oxi motion of Thoits acid Bonham, a resolution accepting
this grant of easeMent was passed by unanimous vote on roles. call.
Councilman Green left at 9 p.m. and was absent during --
t;:e rest of the meeting..
Wcee Street Bridge
ri report was received :from Committee No. 1 suggesting
.G:.t it might not be advisable to undertake the reconstruction .of
Tele - ore Street Bridge as an S.E.R.A. project, and the committee
recommended that the Board of Public Works b.e asked to negotiate
the Counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo on the advisability
undertaking this work ;as a P.Vti.A. project. This Matter was
lscussed, and on motion of Collins and Bonham) the report of
C:ellmittee No. 1 was accepted.
" ee o tat.1c . Copies of Lngxneer:i.ng {ecerQs
report was received from Committee No. 4 recommending
that an appropriation not to exceea4.150.0<0" be made from the
C)rtingerit Fund for the purpose of making photostatic is .copies of
b -3C 4 sheets and other records in the Engineer's office, to be
stored in the vault in lieu of insurance. A similar recommends
t .o. ,:as received from Committee No. 5 On motion of Collins
ezd Bonham, these reports were accepted, and the sum of $150.00
was appropriated from the contingent; fund for this purpose, by
zanimous vote on roll call.
,,,roue Insurance
A report was received from Committee No. 5 recommending
elan No. 4 of the Travelers lnsurarzce Company on the matter
group life insurance for city employees be incorporated as a new
=trmuea for the group insurance policy. At the suggestion of the
:•',I32?, action on this report was postponed until . a ;hater meeting
en the acting chairman of Committee lti°o.. - 5 would be present.
Mayor
Viat'ilimenlveelareliZeorarytt4i74,.
Insurance.Bill Allowed
On motion of ::hoits and Bonham, a bill .i the amount of
$1880.91 covering premiums for fire insurance policies was approved
and warrant 'authorized in payment of same, by unanimous : vote on
roil call.
Transfer. of ;.und.s,ror Grader
A report Was received from the Board of Works recommending
that a transfer of 38l.25 be made from Account 135-17, an
operating account, to ,Account 135-J9, a capital account, for the
purchase of. a -.grader from the Associated Equipment' Company, as
outlined. in. Bulletin No. 23, copy of which was submitted. This
«1as referred to Committees No. J. and loo. 4.
riee,uest of auayf i•eld P.T.Q.. for Sid' way k
A ,communication was received. from the Mayfield Parent
Teachers Association requesting that a sidewalk be constructed on
the south side of El Camino Real from California Avenue to the
underpass in front of tee . Mayfield School. This was referred to
CommitteeNo 1 and the Board of Works.
Subway Projects
The Mayorr brought up the matter of the possibility of
getting certain grade separations completely financed and buiit by
the Federal government, and reported that the State nighway
Department :` has submitted the plans for the Embarcadero subway as
an approved project project to the Bureau o Public Roads. The J.syor
suggested that it might be desirable to have plans prepared for
a subway at Palo Alto Avenue and present them to Col. Skeggs of
the Highway Department for inclusion in tree program. On mctien
of Bonham and Collins, the matter of preparing such plans was
referredto the Board of Works.
On motion of Bonham and Kelly, the Council adjourned.
Approve
lasttest
Ctty `filer'
in reg•a:..;:i
?.oil cal_
rese
-bsen
tl:e4 appro
. , e___ :fir
Frances
.
inroxm him
Wagner for
f.t?1 tale 'vi:
proceedings
completed a:
1 rs .
proeer piac
The City
e Court to
sria eld be ma
ttorney,
eves tion.
Re nest
P
+
and Jennie .t,
w
14:d -3Z on t.
of Universf t'
ur..;;or� Teegr..
eoiitical Co(
to t:,€ City 1
h ;14 A. 4.
enclosing tr,r
Palo Alto zes
Acting C .airti
=mss been be* L \%
.tat it be rye
to nr . Ernest
'Gniversity, -,
dospital.
Commission co.
CotIrses .in bri
Li,ty to provil
:month for a o;
Committees No