HomeMy WebLinkAbout01141929City Ha11, Palo Alto, California,
January 14 , 1929 .
The Council of the City of Palo Alto Piet in regular
session on this date `,at 7:30 p.. m: , with Mayor Hoge presiding.
Roll call as follows::
Present: Berts.che, Cathcart, Christensen, Hobart, Hoge, -
Johnson, lord n - Celly, Lausten, Thoits, Thomas,
Whisler, Wood..
Absent: Cottrell., Wing.
It was reported that copies of the minutes of the
meetings of December 28, 1928, and January 2, 1929, had been sent
to each member of the Council, and the minutes of said meetings
were approved.
Hearing on Assessm.ent.s
It was announced, that this was the time set for a
hearing on thy' assessments for the improvement of Channing Avenue,
yin coin Avenue and`' Cuinda ,Street, under Resolution of Intention
No. 665. ' A written protest was received from Byron J. Snow
gainst the assessment charged against his property in Block 94,
at the corner of Fulton :S:tree.t and Kingsley Avenue. No other
protests were received and there. was no one present who wished to
be heard. The ;protest of Mr. Snow was discussed by the Gity-
[ttorney and City, Engineer', and it was then directed that the
-attar be referred to, the City' ng:ineer and City Attorney for
consideration and for an opinion of the City Attorney, to -report
back at the next. 'meeting on' February 11, 1929, and the hearing Gn
said assessments: vas ' continued , to the next meeting.
Map of Crescent Park Addn. No .1
A report Sias received from the Planning Commission
approving and re:co. ending for -adoption the plat for subdivision
known as "Crescent 'Paark, Addition No. 1".
Resolution No. 710, approving the map of Crescent
Park, Addition No. 1, ;and, accepting streets laid out thereon, was
read, and on motion of Hobart and Whisler, was passed by unanimous:
vote or roll call.:
Map o f zmbartadero Oaks"
A report was received from t e Planning Commission
approving and recommending the adoption of a plat for subdivision
known as ' mbarc`adero Oaks '' at the corner of Middlefield Road -and:
}'barcadero Road, ,out:side the present city limits. The: plat for
this subdivision *as: examined and discussed, :with particular
reference to thecurve in the road at the intersection of Fulton:
St e± -with `Embarcadero Road,. Chairman Clark of the Planning
'-omission stated::'thstthis map now before the Council was not the.
one which the`'Planning Commission had approved. A :notion was made
by Cathcart, Seconded iby Bertsche, to refer this plat back to the
Planning' Corimission. At this time Mr. Bolman, representing the._
owners of the -tract, appeared and', stated that he supposed' the :map
pe:ore the Council was .the Lame ,as .,that approved by the Corsmissign,
as the. City Engineer's office' had been directed to prepare a final
map in accordance with the' sketches, approved by the Planning
Commission. Upon the request -of the Mayor, yr. Bolman, Prof.
Clark, and the City Engineer withdrew to consider this map:and
correct it, ,if necessary, to. correspond with the plat approved by
the Commission.
The plat was :then,.xaresent.ed with the proper- corrections1/
made and Resolution No. 711 approving said map of "Embarcadero
Oaks' was read. On motion of Thoits and Wood, this resolution
was adonted.by :unanimous vote on roll call.
Hearing on res. of Int . 708
It was announced that this was the time for a hear-
ing on Resolution of Intention No. 708, for the construction of
sidewalks in College Terrace. No protests were received and
there was no'ane present who desired to be heard. A resolution
ordering the work and fixing time to receive bids was read
The question was brought up by Councilman Wood as to whet lots were
covered by this resolution and whether or not nr8perty owners on
streets which are not paved are to be required to put in sidewalks.
At the re. uest of Councilman Wood, who wished to examine:the plans
further, the hearing on this matter was continued: until the next
regular --meeting on February lith.
Petition for Annexation
A petition for annexation to the City of Palo Alto
was presented by registered voters in the territory bounded by
Oregon :venue, Middlefield Road, Alma Street and Matadero Creek.
The City Attorney stated that this petition is not in the proper
legal form as it -does not state that the property annexed agrees
to bear :its share of the bonded indebtedness of the City, as
required by 1 v: On motion of Vhis1er and Christensen, this
petition was: referred to the City Attorney to communicate with the
petitioners and prepare the petition in the proper form.
Letter' from Merner Lumber Co.
A communication was received from the Merner Lumber
Company asking that the industrial zone be extended to include
Lots ,14. 15., 16,-; 17 -and 18 of the Greer Tract.. On Motion of Thoits
and Hobart, this:' ryas referred to the City Planning Commission.
Petition; -:to Pave KinQsley
-A petition was received from property owners on
Kingsley Avenue between Alma and Emerson Streets, asking that
this block of Kingsley Avenue be paved. This was referred to the
Board Of Works
Report on Park Committee
A communication was received from the City Attorney
concerning the present status of the Advisory Park Committee.
On motion, of Thoits and Hobart, this was referred to the special
committee4: on revision of the city charter, whichis preparing .
ordinances to coordinate and systematize the city government.
Concerning Hospital
A letter w<as received from. E. S. Erwin, Auditor of
Stanford University, referring to the recommendations; previously
made for certain inxpzn vements at the hospital which were rejected
by the:Courcil, and requesting the Council to re- consider the
matter= of the construction of a small building in which to store
X *Ray films, the 'cost of which was estimated to: be $170..00.
On motion of Jordan and wood, this amount was authorized for the
purpose of constructing this building, the amount. to be taken from
the Hospita1 Building Fund.
fetters from Southern Pacific Co.
Two letters from the Southern Pacific Company
.concerning agreements covering the privilege of maintaining dater
pipe an:d =sewage pipebeneath the Southern Pacific tracks were
referred -to the Board pf -Public Works.
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?esolution on Sewage Disposal
A communication was received from the Chairman of the
Sewage Disposal Re.search.Committee of the League of California
Y.unicipa1Lties concerning a proposed resolution requesting an
appropriation by the State for funds for making investigations
and research in methods of sew; -e disposal. A letter on this
same subject .wa.s received from ,Leon B. Reynolds, and also a
report .t'rom the Board of Works recommending the adoption of the
resolution presented by, the Sewage Disposal Committee.
Resolution No.- 712, endorsing the action of the League
of California Municipalities requesting appropriation by the
State of not less then:65,000 for establishment and maintenance
of proper:facilities for investigations and research in methods
of sewage disposal:,; and urging the legislature to adopt:suitable
legislation to accomplish these purposes, was read, and o,n motion
of Thoits and Lausten,>was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.
Concerning Plumbing Code
A cou unica.ti'on from.the League of California
Municipalities .enclosing a copy of a model plumbing code was
referred to the Board "of Works,.;
Letter Prot Pu-o1ic Owner:shio Leagt e
A letter .from. the .,Pxbli.c Ownership, League of America
requesting appropriation'for the,purpose of publishing bulletins`
on the hearings of, the Federal Trade c;om-rission was referred to
Committee N0 4
Letter from Gallivan Realty Co.
A communication from the Sullivan Realty Company
asking the. Council to set -.a sale price on the hospital site was
received and placed on file.
Letter from R. W. Madison
A :letter . from: R.. Madison referring; to his previous
re;uest, for .,refund of license tax which had been disapproved was,
received, : and plac=ed on File.
Letter from Elliott
A letter was received from the Elliott -Horne Company
enclosing an ,assignment of certain storm sewer assessments to the'
City of Palo Alto,, Covering certain lots in Sunnyside Addition
to which the City has a tax deed, the total amount of these
assessments being $1454.38,`
Resolution No., 715, accepting said assignment of sewer
assessments, was read and on motion of Jordan and Lausten, was.
passed by ,unanimous gate, on roll call.
Sidewalk Plans proved
Reports- were received from the Board of Yyorks approving
and recommending the adoption of Improvement Plans No. 16,
for the :construction of 'sidekAralks : in_ the Mayfield 'district, and
of Improvement Plans No . 17, for the construction of sidewalks
in the City of'Palo Alto.
Resolution No. 714, adopting the plans and profiles
entitled "Improvement Plan No 16,'1928-29, for the Cons tructMon
of Sidewalks -snd Sidewalk Corners in Mayfield" •rags read, and on
motion of Jordan and Lausten, was adopted by unanimous vote on
roll call.
Resolution No. 715, approving plans and specifica-
tions entitled "Improvement Plans No. 17, 1928.-29,. for the
construction of/ sidewalks, and sidewalk corners in -Palo Alto,"
was read`, and on motionof Lausten and Kelly, was adopted by
unaninou.s vote ontroll call.
Resolution of Intention No. 716, for the construc-
tion of sidewalks in the Mayfield District, in accordance with
Improvement P1ans No 116-, was read, and on motion of Kelly and
Lausten, was passed- by unanimous vote or: roll call. This
resolution fixes :Februarys 11, 1929, at 7:30 p. n;. as the time for
a hearington on. this mat war.
Resolution of Intention No. 717, for the construc-
tion of sidewalks in accordance with improvement Plans No. 17,
was read, and on motion of Bertsche and Jordan, was adopted by
unanimous vote on roll call. This resolution fixes February 11,
1929, at 7:30 p. m, as the time for s hearing on this matter.
Aa,propriatiOn for Dredging
A report was received from the zoard of Works
informing the Counci; that the appropriation. for dredging work
on the bay shore:lands has been about exhausted, and as it is
desirable to -continue dredging immediately, the .board recommended
that an appropriation of $6500.00 be made for this purpose.
The *Chairman. `pf Cozmnittee No. 5 submitted a report showing the
ca.s t of : operat_ionss o the dredger from July 1,. 1925 to Jan , 1,
1929 On motion ofThoits and Hobart, the sum of $6500.00 was
appropriated from the unappropriated balance of the general fund,
by unanimous vote on roll call, for the purpose of continuing the
dredging vork41
Concern-int went for Leased Land
A'. report was submitted by the Board of Works
recommending `that the following rentals be charged for leases on
city -owned bayshore land: 30 cents a front foot per month for
the first two -years, 40 cents a front foot per month for the next
two years; 50` c,Onts a front foot per month for the fifth year;
at. the end of five years the rental to be determined at about the
sane rate as rents received from other leases granted for
commercial purposes on the Slough, The City Engineer exp wined
that this rate applied. to the proposed
lease with Mr. Anderson
for land on which to :construct a boat building shop.
0n motion of Thoits and Kelly, this recommendation
Board of 'ati'ora s, ` as far as it relates to Mr. Anderson's
was approved by. unanimous vote.
to Deeds for Widening .Ashby Ave.,
A report was received from the Board of Works'
stating that neither Mr. T. -P. Martin nor the Dudfield Lumber•
`ompany have furnished the necessary deeds for the widening of
Ashbyy: ;Avenue,. and recommending that the City Attorney investigate
the desi,ra-bilitty of the city starting condemnation proceedings to
. acquire this land.:
of the
lease,
On motion of
was directed to prepare the
proceedings in this matter,
next meeting.
Kelly and Thoits, the .City: Attorney
necessary papers to begin condei nation
and present same to the: Council at its
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reconmer
with the
curbs, w
stations
to a pos
and fur
the earl,
on this 1
the City
construe
property
be laic/1
approvin
Was ores
referring
stations
these 3e;_
suggestio
pay five
present 1
of the P1
desirabil
connectie
of Yorks
the metho
referred
directed
Peninsula
railway t
on Februa:
0 r(.:l..
recommend:
abandoned
and Kelly
Churchill
of Thoits
by un_ani me
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No. 3 ref
was given
6ett
Commission
2 and 3 or
*setting ti
11, 1929,,
315
Plaza Plan
A report was received from the Planning Commission
recommending ending that the plan for the Plaza dated July 19, 1928,
;,ith the width of the paved -roadway thereon being 66 feet between
curbs, with the bus station elinin.ated, with the gasoline service
s ations elim hated,, with the rerioval of the street railway track
to a position north:. of the Federal - Telegraph Company, be Approved;
and further, that the city start to pave the widened roadway at:
t,e earliest possible time..
A report .was also received from the Board of Works
on this matters recommending the adoption of a plan submitted by
the City Engineer,for providing the: necessary funds for the
construction of the Plaza by an , assessment district including. the
property from the Creek to Churchill Avenue, the assessments to
be laid upon the assessed -value of lots.
A copy of a:resolution passed by the Exchange Club
approving the plans for the Plaza was received. A communication
was presented from W. L. Peet in connection with this mattere
referring particularly to the rentals received from the two. gas
stations at present, and to the loss in the city's revenue if
these service stations are, abolished.
There was much discussion on this subject, and the;
suggestion was made, that the service stations :night be willing to
pair five ,years' rental, it advance:if allowed to remain in their`
present location, thus ,payying for the cost of the construction
of the Plaza. Various opinions were expressed as to the
desirability of retai.nirg the gas stations, and other points in
connection with the Plaza Plan were discussed.
On motion .of Wood and Laus ten, the reports of the Board
of ;corks and Planning, Co'mxii:s; -ion, with particular reference toe
the method of financiing the construction of the Plaza, were
referred' to Committees .No. le 2, .and 4, and the committees were:
directed to confer w'! th the southern Pacific Company and the
Peninsular Railway Company relative to the rerouting of the
railway tracks, to ,report back to the Council at the next Meeting
on February 11, 1929.
Ordinance on Arterial Repealed
A report was received frori
recommending that the arterial'zation
abandoned:. lifter some; discussion, a
nd Kelly that this matter betrade an
the Board of Sn fety
of Churchill Avenue be -
motion was ;wade by Jordan
emergency ordinance
Ordinance ',No. .441:, repealing the ordinance establishing
Churchill Avenue as an arterial street, was read. andon Motion
Thoits and Mrs. Thomas, was adopted as an emergency ordinance
unanimous vz)te on roll call.
by
or
Ordinance on Building Area
An ordinance' amending Section 3.004 of Codified Ordinance
.No. 3 relative to building area in the third residential district
was given first reading. and held over until the next meeting.:
oe.tback Changes. Reconrended
A recommendation was received from the City Planning
Commission for cbanges.in setback lines of certain lots in Blocks
2 and 3 of Seale. Subdivision No 7: Resolution No. 718,
setting tine for hearing. o:n th i,s matter at 7:30 p. m. on February
1, 1929, was passed byeananimous vote on roll call.
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41.
316
Mr. Cutler, representing .the Sutter Packing Company,
addressed the Council on this matter, stating that his company
is willing to purchase these lots at a reasonable price, and would
also be willing to deed the necessary amount of land for the
purpose(/of widening,First Street. He stated that he had in his
possession a Ietter.Ofrom the Southern Pacific Company expressing offpD ecei1
'� Dece--t?
its willingness. to 'have Acacia Avenue closed. He requested the
Council to •take immediate action on this matter, as the Packing
Company wishes to have its buildings ready to begin Work on
March lst.
Concerning Closing of Acacia Avenue
A report was received from the Planning Commission
recommending, that Acacia. Avenue be closed between . First t,
Packing
Street
and Third Street, as requested by the Sutter Packing Company, Company
provided the Sutter Packing Company deed stifficient,land to widen of MiddI
First .Street to 60 feet -and also purchase the narrow to s on reported'
Acacia Avenue, to which the city has a tax deed. approve{
Thoits 4
No. 4.
On motion of Wood and Cathcart, the recommendation
of the Planning CorMission was referred to the City -Attorney and
Board of Works with power to negotiate with the Sutter::Packing Co..
Resolution of Intention No. 719, to close a portion
of Acacia Avenue, and fixing February 11, 1929, at 7-:45 pe M.
as the time fQr..a hearing on this matter, was read,- and on motion
of Mrs. . Thotras `a'nd Wood, was adopted by unanimous vote -On roll cal?.
Widening First St.,
h report w s receives from: the Planning Cotr.,rnissior
recommending, because of the costs involved and in view of the
fact that the existing setback lines on First Street between
California and Fernando Avenues would protect the desirab?e width
of this street, that the matter of widening First. Street be held
in abeyance :for;; the. ti: e being. ' n s recommendation was
approved by the .Council .
Report 07f Com mittee No. 4
A communication was received from E. 'gip.. Schultz,
Director of Palo Alto Hospital and Public Health Laboratory,
E. S. Erwin, Auditor of Stanford University, and Louis Olsen.,
health Officer, r ecornm_erding that 2700.00 of the rospital
Building Fund be; appropriated for the purpose of establishing
a branch laboratory it the Medico --Dental building and for
additional equipment. for. the :rain laboratory. A, report :was
received from Committee No. 4 on this rater, recommending tn: t
$2700.00:6f the Hospital Building Fund be transferred to the
Equipment .?u.n.d for the eqoi:pment of the laboratories. On motion
of Wood and Mrs. Thomas,: the recommendation was accepted by
unanimous vote on roll call.
Report of Committee No. 5
A ‘report,was received from Committee No.. 5 recommend-
ing that the Purchasing. Agent be. authorized to take out a policy
with. the Pacific 'Indemnity Company for insurance to coverdamages
for personal injuries against the City, City Council, boards,
commissions, officers and employees of the City. 0n notion of
v►ood and. Jordan, the policy of the Pacific Indemnity Company was
refe:rred back to the committee, on request of the. Chairman. of
Cortimittee No. 5.
A communication, from Burt Jayne, representing the
Travelers insurance Company.,concerning public liability insurance
was referred to. Committee No.. 5.
claims we
s amme , by
Or/44
was nrese
Article 'J
walls'° to
ing Inclu
whether 0:
a wall.
the Bo a rd
Ramona But
intent of
exterior A
an emergen
but the or
following;
then refer:
o,mmu.
budr,et of
budget as r
asked for 'b
lack of fun
amount is
As to- ?urchase of : Lard -
Referring to the offer of the Palo Alto Beatty
Company for the sale of,a triangle of land at the intersect an
of Middlefield Road and Palo Alto Avenue, the City Clerk
reported that the City Planning Commission and Board of Works
approve of the policy of purchasing this land. On motiora of
Thoits and Mrs. Thomas, this matter was referred to Committee
N o . 4.
reports of Officials
The reports of the Department of Public Works,
Department of Public Safety, Auditor and Treasurer for the month
of December, 1928, were received and placed on file.
Claims Allowed
On motion. of Bertsche and Johnson, the following
claims were allowed and warrants authorized in payment of the
same, by unanimous vote on roll call:
E. L. Beach 20.00
Mrs. Harriet riet L. Edwards 2.60
E. D. Lakin 75.00
Malcolm & David 200.00
Palo Alto News 116.00
Palo Alto Times 24.50
San Jose Abstract Co. 3.75
F. A. Stuart 331.10
The Travelers Insurance Co. 135.45
ordinance on, Exterior Walls Presented
At the recjuest of Councilman Thoits, an ordinance
was ')resented by. the City Attorney, amending Section 31,
Article VI, of Codified Ordinance No. 2, defining „exterior
walle No be any part of the outside enclosing walls of the build-
ing including glass front, base and framework supportingthe glas
, There was much discussion on this matter, as to
:.nether or not the glass front of a building should be considered
a wall. Reference was made to the permit recently issued by
the Board of Works for the ".:alteration of the front of the
Ramona Building, and a difference of opinion arose as to the
intent of the original ordinance prohibiting the alterations of
exterior walls of frame buildings in the fire limits.
.
Councilman Thoits moved to adopt this ordinance as
an emergency ordinance The motion was seconded by Berts
che,
but the ordinance was lost as ` an emergency ordinance by the.
following vote:.
Ayes: Johnson, Thoits, Thomas, Whisler.
Noes': Bertsche, Cathcart, Christensen, hobar
=loge, Jordan, Kelly, Lsusten.
On motion of Whisler and Cathcart, the ordinance was
then referred to Committees 1 and 2 for consideration.
Community Center Funds
Councilman Bertsche brought op the matter of the
budget of the Community Center Corpnission, stating that the
budget as adopted by the Council was 400.00 less than the amount
asked for by the Community Center, and consequently there is a
lack of funds in this department and an approaria.tion for that
amount is needed Trds matter was referred to Committee No. 4.
4
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•
Dedision on; Subwayy
Decision No 20456 of the Railroad Commission -,in the
matter of the application of the City of Palo Aito- for' an order
permitting the separation of grades at the crossirng of Emaarcadero
Road over the Southern Pacific tracks was presented by the City
Attorney. 0n motion of'' rs . Thomas and Jordan, this:- was referred
to the Board of Works and City Attorney.
0n, 'rno Lion, the Council ad iourned.
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session o.
of the w: f,T
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territory
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that there
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netit;on c
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this cornea
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territory
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operate t -!-
the City o
annexation
that it co.
op-,osition
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petition.
of outsi e
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electors is
election,.,
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Hospital