HomeMy WebLinkAbout02091931:City: Hall, Palo Alto, California
February 9, 1931.
The Council of the ,; City of Palo Alto met in regular
.,,,,,y:4n on this date -at 7:30'p.m., with Mayor Christensen presyding.
.,0:11 call as follows
?resent: Miss Baugh :Bertscne, Cathcart, Caxistensen, Hobart,.
Johnson, . Judson, Kelly, hvastep, Mitchell, Mosher,
Thoits, Thomas Mrs. Thomas, Wood.
Absent: None.
The minutes of the meetings of January 26th and February',
,..., 1931, were approved.
Street Pavirw Program
At this moment, before:,: special orders of the day were
vonsi.dered, the City Attorney:: stated in effect as follows That
;pis was the time for the 3penLng'-of .bids for the Street paving
-=o ,rar. for 1930-31; that he was °informed that the City Clerk; had
received a number of bids anti .that there were a number of bidders:
-resent, and that bids were -as yet unopened.; that these bi.ds' ere'
-for the paving of' ; all of the streets to be improved under Resolution
of intention No. 948; that -bidders were reluctant to bid for some
o_" the streets and not others; that there was another question which.
:.'as a matter of some discussi= and upon which the Council might.
rerhaps take action and that was the .building of a subway on
tbarcadero Road at the railroad crossing. Part of the street
erogram was the paving of, Rmbarcadero Road between Beigh and Aima
Ttreets; one side of this road oeing city property, the City would
pay as its share of the cost the e um of 43400.00. Further, if.
the bids were opened this nigh and accepted it would necessarily
include all cost of paving this. part. `of aabaroadero Road. Later
a subway n;i.gh.t be built and this paving would then, by any plan,
be destroyed and the cityanti pniv.ate owners would lose the entire
Inou„t spent for this paving The ,City .Attorney stated that if the
.ity decided to go ahead with; the paving plan leaving out this-
-art of aioarcade:ro Road, it- would` 'be necessary for the Board: of
7;orks to amend. the i:.mproverrent plans and specifications, the Council
to approve of same' and the - Council. to rescind Resolution of
Intention No. 948 and; pass: a new resolution of intention to improve
these streets, excluding Embsr c-adero. 'Road from High to Alma StreFets
By direction of the Council, e.11 bids that were
received were returned to the : bidders unopened (there being: seven
such bids )
Referring to these matters,. the following is taken out
of its regular chronological place in : the minutes for purposes of
'aving a continuous record` of this> matter. Near the close of the
aounei.l meeting, the City Attorney reported. to the Council that he
had. received information that the Bos.rd of Works had met and had
-ace the following recommendation to the City Council: "The Board
of ..orks recorenend.s to the Council thst. Dnbarcadero Road be
e lir„ina ted from the 1930-1.931 paving 'program; that improvement
=-tars i;o. 23 be amended accordingly, and that the work therein
o=;te_,:plated be undertaken as .emended under a new resolution of
intention. Signed, Chas. U. Marx, %hairr.an".
After discussion., Resolution No. 959 rescinding
',esoiution No. 935 which adopted plans and specifications„ was
pas ^-.d by unanimous vote on roll call..
Resolution No.. 9•6O, abandoning procedure under Resolution
-n:,ention No. 948 " was the e read and adopte.d by uns.n mous. vote,
this resolution also abandeninge proceedings under Resolution No. 952
oraer-�' the .w
�, ork.
Then,, Resolution . No. 961, amending Improvement Pi : s
.: 23, ;'and 'approving said plans and specifications, which
eliminate from- said plans the section of Embareadero Road fxo-
A1r!ts Street to R :gh Street, was read and. passedby unanimous vs-,
on roll: call:.
Resolution of Intention No. 962, for the improve
of certain streets in the 1930.1931 paving program, was then
adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. This resolution fixes
February 25;,: 1931 at '7:30 p.m. as the:: time for a hearing or. this
mat.ter. ('his program ur r er Resolution of Intention No, 962
is ..the same ins :that ;under Resolution No. 948., now rescinded with
the ,exception` of tb.e exclusion of the paving of LMbareadero :'•oar
from High to Alma Streets.)
EnTbareaderoRoad Subway Model
.t the time the Council assembled around. the council
table, th,Tfound on the table before them a model of wood as a
possible design for the contemplated subway at &b: rcadero Road.
crossing. Upon invitation of the Mayor, Prof. A. B. Clark,
cla.airtzan of .the City i].anning Coxmission, addressed the Council
on the matter of this plan. Prof. Clark sts:ted that the sucjec:
of railroad: 'crossings was under consideration and study by the
fanning: Commission ;and the results would: be presented in the
Mater plan of the City- that the ?lanning Commission was working
is i. elt.ded consideration of subways at railroad crossings and.
e 'm .tt:er -of a. subway at Embarcadero was at present receiving
nves ti gatiox1.. and study by a subecolsmittee of the Commission.
rof., CI:ark stated that the Co:rmislion. had not yet arrived at ar.:
reco endation: concerning th .s proposed :subway, and wished the
Council `=to u derst.an*d . that this model was not before the Count:
with. any, recorarienda.tion from the :'1arning Commission.
Various; councilmen discussed this natter and it was
thee genera1 opinion tl-'at it was perhaps desirable to again o. et
,the._ Subject o± a ".subway at K.anbareadero Crossing for study. The
• Mayor, stated ,that information had been received frorr the
Southern Pacific: Company that the appropriation originally made
by the : ram lr oad :<:company for i. t s share of the cost of the subway
had n.6-6 been withdrawn and was still available,, and: therefore
he : believed action should be expedited.
C1osi g pxford and. Cambridge Avenue
The : `Mayor a nnounceo that this was the time for the
hearing on protests against the report of the Commissioners or. ice
closing of :Oxford: and Cambridge Avenues. the: City` Attorney
announced ;that the protests of A. C. Campbell, john G. VejvediSal,
E. T Hansen and Alice A. Randall had, been received by the Co^,::c:.
at :meetingits fan February 2nd and had been referred to Committee
No., l+ together .with the Commissioners' report. A report was
received: from. orsaittee No. 1 which recoi nended..that the protests
be overruled and' that the report of the Commissioners be approved.
Another letter had: been received 'at 4 p.m. on this
�' F C � opinion n,_ t:
.date error.::1�,rs . Lauretta � . Hyde which expressed. the ol„��,::ora that
10,0 wa.-s too small an allowance forland taken. -This letter ;",s
received :.too late for consideration by the con it tee and ".ad "=
legal =p1s.ce as a protest.
The Mayor stated that any one •present might speak oa
the'. subject: at this time, but there wore no ;'oral protests r2. e.
The ::Mayor :;then declared the hearing closed..
.Resolution No.. 963, overruling protests against the,.
-report. of the (,onrsaissioners ;.n the matter of closing Oxford VV-
Camzoridge Avenues, was read and adopted by unanimous ous vote on rd.--
= .Resolution No, 964 approving the report of the
Carutissione s in:_the matter of closing Oxford and Cambrs.d.Se :. �
was then read and =adopted by •znania-.ous . vote on roll call, ;= d
. Co nc11:.`directed that 'as'sesswera.tz and benef .ts be entered of reco-
t'�
and that the 3
connection witi"
Sale of i.
A
the sale of th.
a resolution b
and a lease cob
representing 2
this hospital
prepared a res
lease contract
Dr. Sharp addr,
this matter wa
On
referred to th
desirability 'o
viewpoint only.
this matter, to
by Dr. . harp .
o. 4 and also
that report crib.
r. -
J
adjourned it w
1931.
Claim of
A r
of X1..30 on pe
possessed.
Mr. Wright also
action was take
Letter
.Lr
The
General Manager
Railroad Commis
City of Palo Ai
Avenue at the
had reached an
of additional ,A
informed the Cc
agreement made
Burckhalterts
Letter f,
The
from the State
City that the
gates. This 1.:
if the plan pr<
City's approva:
Corr,.^:ission of
#17071, for pr,
in general that
automatic gate:
was directed ti
Withdraw its a:
the a barcaden
the reason tha:
by the City Col
T,
Mayor .pram
Pacific Comoar.
rrerz
i' t
ere:
tey
a _this
with.
6 Road
u• c11
s ;a
Road
Oh
o mci
ttee
3
oats
ov&.
is
that
T SAS
110
rr K that the Street.:. r.
-Superintendent �: �:cary out the'. requirements - in.
`yl+.r V
coy, echo.. with -thismatter as :detailed in,. the Act of 1889.
'Ho spy. ta]: Properk,
A report ;vas' rec:eiv-ed from Cormittee No. 4 concerning
4-;.A sale of the old hospital esite. ,This > report recommended that
resole 4r on be adopted relating ng -to sale of the hospital property
„y a lease contract. The ..chairman stated that Dr. James G Sharp
� ,»wonting 27 citizens had offer. ed .to :.v iderwr.ite the purchaseof
^i.s hospital site for $23,060. The 'City Attorney reported he had
-re pared a resolution wh1eh he :;read, _:the :general purpose of this''
ease contract being to secure this .old °hospital site for a city park.
,_r. 3h r r
1.�.._ � addressed the' Council onthis .subject, and after discussion
t .s ,after was referred to Coin: ttee No. 4.
On the suggestion of.• Councilman Thomas, it was also
ferred to the Planning Coumission as to the advisability and
esirability of having a city park in this location from a planning
,7- e-apoint only. Committee, No.. 4 .s. requested, in considering'
t?i.s :.latter, to meet with. representatives .of tho gr„pup represented
.zi Dr. ..harp. The Council requested an early :meeting of Committee
:.o. 4 and also of the Planning Commission, on this subject, in order
fr at report might be received by:- the •Council at an early date.
unanimous ,vote, the Council decided that when it
a^ curn.ed it would adjourn until 7:30 p.; :. Monday, February 16,
1931.
Clair; of 1r. r. ight
A request was received from G. W. Wright for a refund.
of 1.30 on personal property tax, whieh property he had not
'possessed. This 'refund was allowed by unanimous vote on roll call.
•,.e. Wright also requested a, refund of X1..51tax penalty, but no
action was taken by the Council on this ,r.e west.
Letter from SouthernPacifie Co.
The City Attorney ;read a letter from F. L. urcihalter,
General Manager of the Southern .Pacific Company, to the. State
Fai :road Commission referring` to Application .#16880 filed by the
G.ty of Palo Alto for permission to widenand improve California
:;venue at the Southern Pacific crossing, , stating that the Comnane
had reached an agree len.t with the "City with respect to installation
of additional wgw.ags for traffic-: protection. The City Attorney
informed the Council' that the City of. "P.a.l o Alto k .ow s of no such
a.:reement made in regard to theesafety devices, as stated in Mr.
aarcizhalter t s letter to the, Coithij s sj;on dated November 19, 1930.
Letter from Railroad Cor a fi scion:'
The City Attorney read a;: >letter which he had received
i:'o:: the State Railroad Co:rnission ,re;atxngto applicatiCn of the
that the grade crossing;, of Fznbarcadero Road be protected by
saes. This letter asked:` that the 'Railroad Commission. be informed
the plan presented:' by the SouthernPacific Company meets the
'-t?'• 'tu approti":ate. There..was also copy of :a, --letter to the Railroad
'o7rission of January 30th relating to :this same ratter, Application-
'17071, for protection of grade crossing, Burckhalter statings
• Seneral that they had no ob j e.ction -as :to the installation of
aut=atic gates if the City 'pay's the cost, etc. The City Attorney,
:es directed to notify the 'Railroad Commission that 1t does not
'M %hdr'aw its application: #17071 'for' the installation of gates at
e w. e:.rca&ero crossing.,` but :desired ` to contizet..a this matter for
tne reason that a subway at -this, crossing is nor being considered
^w the City Co=ci1 a
The City Attorney, now read a _ letter addr es ed to the
,a or from Mr. .B.reknaiter,..,gez.e:ra1 manager of the:.' Southern
clfic Compan- T dated,..Janusry 28, 1931, relating;to permit granted
A report was received from Committee N. .1 reconi endi-.
-.tfiat the :sum of $1000 be appropriated from the Dredging :ewild to,.
t.fnempl:oyment -Fund. This was approVedbyunanimous vote or. ro'_:
Painting City Hall
A report was received from Committee No. 4 reco::s:,end_
that an appropriation . of ;;;-450 be made from the Contingent Fund
for the purpose of painting the exterior woodwork- of the Ci.t l
.and applying wash to the exterior of the building. This was
approved; by unanimous vote on roll call .
on Hiyclhan t s
The, proposed ordinance relating to hydrants - vas give::
s=econd reading, and on reco=acndation of CourcilMan_ Cathcart gas
referred. back; to Committee No. 2.
Reports of Officials
The reports of the Department of Public Works, the
:Department- of Public Safety, Auditor' and Treasure» for the tio„tb
of January, 1931, were received and placed on. file.
'Bills Allowed.
The following claims were alloyed and warrants aut or_:e
payment of the .same:
E. L. Beach s 1:C
vBerton Crandall. 00
Ask, Mr. Foster Service 200.00
Fox Stanford. Theater 43.95
Grace `^
Frye 14.2 /55
Edith K. oodman 14.00
2 erchants Assn. 3.50
Palo. Alto Hook ainop 1.40
Palo Alto Times 9.63
Agnes E. Paterson 13.60
San Francisco Chronicle 36.00
Slonaker's k'rinting House 432.55
Travelers Insurance Co. 171.35
eo:re Reproduction Co. 17.15
Peninsula Newspapers Inc. 300.00
`seaman Harris 4.5 5
Malcolm and David 31.00
M. A. °Wostall, Tax Co? lector . 54
Vestal', x
M. A. �l l', Trix. Collector 2.10
Thomas Bodley, Tax Collector 98.68
Councilman Wood and Yrs . Thomas left at 10:05 p.n.
absentduring the rest of the meeting..
Hear
A r e^ue PT
::are 9, 1
Sala:'
as appropr'.;
salary sun
Cottrell it'
tail by a 1
City CowieL
Interest
Sub..ay whit
Lice:^
the Southern Pacific Company to use portions, of Churchill cerM,
for sapports of crossing gates, requesting _ certain conditions
ons
required :by he City be craz ed. After explanation and
'; recon endation of the City Attorney, the Council passed ResolA:tt
965. arnendIng Resolution No. 957 relating; to. -the instal latio
of automatic gates at the Churchill,''venue oross:.ng, this bei;;8
passed by unanimous vote on roll call-
Letter from Ylunicipal Les. Rp
`.'ha. Council received a letter. from the League of
California Municipalities inclos' ng Senate . Bill No. 3086 reiat'r.A
to; the State High:vay Commission building and keeping in repair'
a street 'through a city which is part of .the State Highway s;step
The,'ouheilapproved of this bill and directed that a letter be
written to ,the Senator and Assemblyman of this district urging
their; support
Unemployment Fund of ; 30.00 a
day, F eorua
February 16
Attest:
IratY4to
ore roll
the
ie .Month
', 1931
Salary Survey
e .ring (Cambridge Avenue
The hearing upon the atter..of widening Cambridge,
previously continued to th s.: date , was continued to
Councilman molts recoi vended that the so., of Z.500.00
w-;To.,riated in the , budget be expended .for the purpose of .a
survey, in accor;dace •with' an' offer made by Professor
tno
•,ot�; „13 last fall. After discussion, th.is was adopted on roll
by a vote of 9 Ayes and '4-Noes.
vreCtioxz expressed.;
rof. Clark
It was direct, :dthat a
: ty ' ouncil be expressed ta prof
f.nterest ;n preparing the . model of
3 ib . ay which he had brought' before
License Fees
It was reported that, 'the ,exemption from license fees
o ;x;0.00 a quarter for peddlers acid solicitors had expired on this
ay, February 9, 1931.
vote of appreciation of the
Clark for h:l. s public spirit and
,a .proposed mbarcadero Road
•the City Council.
4
The eou.ncil then adjourned, to meet at 7:30 p.m.,
February 16, 1931, in the City Hall.
Attest:
Uit
Approved:
ayor