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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02111929City Hal, ' Palo F'..ryryr"'ary 11, 1929. The Council of the City of Palo Alto met in :!-egular sue" r 1 on this d£t to : at "7:60 p. n., with Mayor Ho7e presiding. c''1 as follows: ?resent: 3ex't5che, Cat hch `"r,,,: Cnristenseai, Hobart, Hoge, Johnson, "Jordn_ Kelly, Austen, Thoits, Thomas, Wing. Absent: Cottrell, Wood. On motion of ':`l:.% Jordan, the minutes of the . . .. ;_^. 's of January. 14 and January X22, 1920, vR-,.e approved. Hearing on Assessments It r:'as announced that this ,...;as the time set for the inuatio,l- of the hearing .on. the assessments for the rc ; ment. _ C :an tn{ ,:'I re' uey . incoln. 'AvonUe a±id ruinda Street, under o .= �'1,O•ri. of Int;enati on . .No 665: ? '� J' r+ P n t r e ^ s. h C? h r fi r- r^ ""� !- J. ry i'Oj'.,e.S �S 9� ....�. 3 � tx.l 8 � .� ie.•"�,14.:> from Y. Orem, and Dr 7. '/1 • nail. w+e-re...xead and considered, these nrote-sts heir against `in,ersecti:on charges on GuindaStreet. '_f a's- stat M1id.. Vy.'t.ne.- City :En�ni ee.r. and' Cit r Attorney ti a J� the �.. \ V C..4.La 4.�� N�r that L �.'AdI,I -r c�-t ents `� beei••i• ma_lio' in _accord ance with the provisions . . .. �Ci:'.,t.a,i«. ,� a� !' �!i h �n ,�,...r. r'r:w<J of the . :'o J 12.1e`n t =-c'�W of 1911,. on the- front �'cotaE7e bas:_s, an c�iUld n:ot J i 1y be changed,' .R'.sic`'♦♦��'}'icn No 1'720 vev.y 'rr t'•; c n '. �.. 1. 41 rr-�.V� .j�V.. --(4'��%�,-. ��V K"i,i '.1.��.(. 1.ihAf the �+.�.'V c'✓v1..J and fart n � r -..,.A.., �` n .�f - E'a, fro as ;es��.ent o.� the L'.t1reet Siuperin t�ero.ent under _7es>ol - .ion of, Intention . . 66;x, Was read, and on motion of '+l.ry•� and h -.!/V 5Y.1-Jw.�-� .�✓ ...An . ..emuii/s, was pa.i eC-/.dy✓y Unarir <.S- fete .on roll call. ,:,.esoaut on No. 72'] aLprrovinz assessments f t, -� � for z v e ^oo ;meat, o f _C:h nning -Avw v_ an ra nds. �>rre �. raue., �..�neo:l..ra Avenue r:;n.,ae� d . read,:and o;:, motion ofTY oits and Wing, wre ac:%)nted by .+.n'..'.nimous '7c).te on o �.�. `ci.C1..}L• e The .'^_iagofer of ' the assessments on the 'o '4' cornerr,3 on X fling e de :'.hero the assessments are v <; a =v n� �, z, �•;�heavy and in somt-, e5-.hitrner than the value. Of the lot,wss brour.ht :. ',. the .. gentian of the Mayor,-: .The •City En;incer stated that the :.,mount of :;'600.00 .rr' (;vim o.us y appropriated by the Council l to pay "art of the coat of th' sc" intersections on Charming .venue was not enough; and he suggest trr t t'nematter be referred to a On motion of,. Cathcart and Bertache, this matter was referred to the City-Engineer',City .rit„orn ey and Committee t:t No . 4. VL ..jam.. �y La . _'ar. consideration Hearings on Res. of Int.t'708 and 716 It was announced that this was the ti, l_ set for a continuation of t :e hearing' :b:; Re olution: of -rnL:er t1cn No. 708, for the construction of - sidcwa k i.:i 'College Terrace, and also n ( r �" !S ry y . -ate t:. hear ing'- on Reso t±on, of - I,a�ten4ion No . ! 1�.�. for the ,. nstruction of sidc;ir;a1 s in 'other parts .o f the Mayfield District. ei City:Engineer in.fo-ri ed the Council that Dr. ;ood v i shed to ave this :;ratter deferred: �o t«'gat ne might have an onr,ortunity to Ludy t O motion of .e1Zy and Las ter: the hearing ' the -plans, a,l ua .i � ,� � � iriti _ 71 said roeolUtions ofd' inutentio .. `wmss continued to the regular meting on March V •f Hem on. Res. o -f int. 71'7 This was also the time for a hearing on Resolution of Intention No. 717, for the construction of sidewalks and sidewalk. corners oncertain streets in Palo Alto. A protest was received from -Hazel Hiller McKai g and Geo. McKaig against the construction of sidewalks along their property on Pope Street in:Block''7Q. e Mr. McKaig was present and addressed the Council on this matter. There being no one else who desired to be heard., the hearing was closed. Resolution No. 722, overruling the protest of Mr. McKale, was read, and on motion of Wing and Lausten, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. Resolution No. 723, ordering the work of construction of sidewalks under; Resolution of Intention No. 717, was read, and on motion of Jordan and Bertsche, we}s passed by unanimous vote on roll call Said resolution fixes February 27, 1929., at 7:30 p. m. as the time for receiving bids on this work. Concerning Closing of Acacia Ave. This was the time also for a hearing on Resolution of intention No. 719 for the closing of Acacia Avenue between First and Third Streets. No protests were received. Two deeds were presentee .;one'to be signed by the President and Secretary of, tie Baysidel Canning Company deeding a portion of their land for the widenig of First Street, the other deed 'to be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk deeding the land made by `the closing of Acacia Avenue to: the ,Bayside Canning Company. The matter of the _:purchase by the:Sutter Packing Company of the narrow lots facing Acacia Avenue which_ the City holds by tax deed was discussed. Mr.. `Cutler, .rep reseni:ng the Sutter Packing Company, addressed the Council., - sta:ting that I:t was his understanding that the lots could be purchased` for; theamount of the delinquent taxes. After some } d.isc;us"sion on .this.' ma-t,ter`, the hearing was closed, andbn motion of { Wiz g; and:. B"er,tschee the, matter was referred to the --City Clerk,. -,C"i ty Attorney, ,City .Engineer and Committee No 4 .for negotiations and to report . back to the Council on February 27th. Councilman rood entered and took his seat at 8:30 p.m. Change of Setback Lines This was the time set for a hearing on the recornmenda- tion of the City Planning Corrrn,..ssion to change the setback lines on certain lots in Blocks 2 and 3 of Seale Subdivision No. 7.. ,Ik>. protests were received, and there being no one ' present who desired to be .heard, the hearing was closed. Ordinance No. 443 changing setback lines was read, -and on motion of uyin, and Lausten, was adopted by unanimous vote on'. roll call. Petition for Paving (-:no. for C osin8 Streets A petition.was received ,from George Moore and other property owners :in' the- Mayfield District asking that ; proceedin,rrs be started to. pave aU the! unimproved streets in College Terrace with the exce=ption of Cambridge and Oxford Avenues:; - and further petitioning ;that :Oxford and Cambridge Avenues be closed from Yale Street.toeAmhe Streetsethe city to acquire by deed the central W foot .lots,.: to .sell said lots anad with the the , proceeds to pay �,. 'cost -Of t;he procedure ,and' to procure a suitable :site in or adjacent/ to i llegeeTerraee for a park and playground, the property owners .. abutting the` streets to be' 'given the 5 foot strips .adjoining their respective. properties. ` In view of the feet. that the matter: of closing Oxford and Cambridge Avenues has been before the Planning Commission. for consideration at a previous time, on motion of Hobart s Coimnissi and to a the prop that the Souther:: Mr. Even: Pacific;Ca Third Str the land referred Le' concernini boards wit purpose of committee Let Committee opened flbo of newspap Let ',umber Cora be withhel payment of the second letter, the placed on 1' hetu enclosing a allowed Coln of Palo Alt: Let -c -of the- Leagu to pass n re to the City Let Ve" A of Los Angel( against a nel to answer t::i such complair. ahl....elor atronfraymare Ho Dart and Mrs, Thomas, the.. petition was referred to the Planning :omission, with:the request :for-. a:, pubiic hearing -on the matter and to .ascertainif, a satisfactory agreement could be made with the property owners. Petitions to Close Streets A petition was received -from Ralph W. Evans, requesting that the portion of Portage: Avenue between £'bird Street and the Southern Pacific right of way ke,,bc.1o:sed, the ?and to revert to - Mr . Evans, the owner of -the property on both sides of the street. A petition. was also :received from the Southern. ?acific4ompany asking that a portion of Olive Street, between Third Street and the Southern, Pacific right of way be closed,. the . .and to ;revert to the Southern Pacific Company. On motion OfHWing and.whisler, said petitions were referred `to the City Planning Commission. Letter from City .Clerk A co:rmunicatio-n. was ,received from the City Clerk concerning the reference':: of : certain matters to committees or boards: without; awaiting. directions from the Council, for the purpose of expediting business., suggesting regular tunes for committee meetings,..<^nd ,concerriing the preparation of dockets. Letter from State Bridge Committee circular letter was received from the State Bridge Committee concerning the San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge to be opened . bou.t parch 1, 1929, and requesting press material for use of newspapers in preparing ,special .editions of this event. ..otters ,Fro c Meaner Lumber Co. Two communi.eatio.ns were received from the Merrier Lumber Company, one dated. January 26, 1929, asking that X830.20 be withheld ;from. the 7restern Paving Company,, contractor, in payment of, materials furnished . by the Berner Lumber Company; the second letter dated January '28, 1929, withdrawing the former letter, the debt having been paid. These communications were placed on file. hetarn. of Witness Fees A letter: was received,.from the Leputy City Attorney enclosing a cheek In -the amount ;of X3.80 being legal fees allowed C:ounci1man"E. C. Thoits as witness in the case of City of Palo Alto vs.: Cashel.., which he had not accepted. Letter .on. Sewag'.e: Dispersal communication from the >Coi ittee on Sewage Disposal of tae. League of. Ca1i;fornia Municipalities requesting the Council to pass ' >resoa ti,on Senate Bill No. 651 was referred to the City -Attorney.: , Letter fro;r2, �r,Sfe,gfred • A- letter was received. from Thorwald Siegfried, attorney of Los Angeles, .asking if there` ;have beer, complaints or protes=t's against :a neighboring.,eement, mi.11. the: City Clerk was directed to ainswer .this .communication advising Mr. Siegfried that no such complaaints have been" filed. 324 Invitation to City Plan Conference An invitation was received to attend the annual city planning conferenceof the California Real Estate Association to .be held at Fresno on:February 14 and 15, 1929. Concerning:Widening Widening Ashby Ave. Referring to the matter of acquiring the necessary land from 1% P. Martin for the purpose of widening Ashby Ave nu, was received from the Board of Works recommending uthe$ aaoption' of a .resolution starting condemnation proceedings on this strip of land. Resolution No.: 724, ordering action to be brought to condemn certain land for the Widening; of Ashby Avenue, was read, and: on motion of -dying and Christensen, was :.gassed by unanimous vote on_ .roll Concerning Purchase oofTriallgi2 4 report was received from the Board of uorks a report' of the Board of Safety in reference to safety consdera tions connected with the `purchase by the City of the triangle .of land at the interse'ction of Palo Alto Avenue and Middlefield Ro-d, and Approving of the policy of purchasing this; triangle of land. it vItaa,,stated that this matter is now before.`Committee No.; 4 for consideration, and the committee is not yet ready to make a report. Change in Street Name A recommendation of the Board of Works to change the name of Forest Court to Forest Avenue was referred to the City Planning Commission. C1ai:n : of fir: Aronov.ici A report was received from the Planning Commission recemmending,thepayment of the bill of Dr. Carol { sty plan consultant, for $130-.84 for services rendered.— ..0nymotion of Tholto and Wood,. thi;a:claim was approved. Opinion of Attorney .on Fire Limits An opinion from the. city Attorney relating.: to the existing ordinances prescribing the fire limits and forbiddin the erection of .wooden strutctures therein was received and g referred to Committees. go, 1 and No. 2. Concerning Plata Plan A report was received from the joint committee, composed of Committees No. 1, 2 and 4, concerning the *natter of the ;Plaza Plan as previously recommended by the Planning Commission and Board of Works. This report recommends that :'the. City, proceed'..wlth the. improvement of the University Avenue entrance, with the understanding that the oi/ stations be retained;: provided that the University approves by the City to the Standard Oil Company a ndShell fOiloCompany rposed efor3 a- period of five years at a rental of p12,000 each, payable in advance, at the time of the execution of a lease to each a fbr,• a period of five years, and that the grounds and buildings of these service stations be relocated in accordance with the plans of` the ' ci ty,a The report of the joint committee further recommends that_ the Southern Pacific; Company be sent a copy of the minutes of the proceedings with the following requests of the minute Company and 4 their line a: notified toe, ninety days; asked to recc ing the Plaza to the Courcj filling stati final complei Commission, s December 26„ "upon a tho:^o the opinion t immediately, terms wha te^re the proposed A on this.mate the offer mad. to occupy wit] University ?►v these oil com.. or these loca above named 1c subject to tho commission an( A petitioning t: at the Univer; be re -located concerning thl Alto Times th University "wa purposes", ata for the claim university. A "1. That they grant to us the necessary easement across their right of way for the widening of: University Avenue in accordance with ;these plans:.. "2. That they be asked to improve and maintain that portion of the Plaza where it crosses their right of .way, except as to the minor variations as suggested by Mr. Anthony. "3. That,:: they be asked to permit the Peninsular Railway Company to re-route their line over their rightof way to conform to our plans. "4. That they be asked to build a new depot ` further to the north and away, from _University Avenue, that : theyimprove the grounds around the de po t to conform and harmonize with our Plaza plans. J. That we include in our request any other item that; ,may -later appear to be of importancein the: prosecution of this work." The ,joi o 'recommends that the City "send a copy of the minute's .of its ;.proceedings.:to the Peninsular Rahway Company and ask there to conform to the city's plans by re-routing their line 'as proposed ,in these pland; that" the bus company be notified to -„vacate: the`' present station on city property within ninety days,. that "the Board of. Works and Planning Commission be asked to reconsiderthe, report dated December 26, 1928, recommend- ing the. Plaza Plan, as shown on map dated July 19, 1928,, and report to the Council a plan involving the temporary retention of the filling stations and their ultimate removal so as to permit the final complete development of the consistent plan of beautificat orl'.. A report was received from the City Planning Commission-, stating that,it had reconsidered its report dated December 26, 19280 as requested by the joint committee, and ,upon -.a thorough, reconsideration, the Planning Commission is of the opinion tha ' whe two o13 stations should be removed immediately, because. the' retention of these oil stations on any terms whatever will, largely nullify the benefits to be gained by the proposed improveffients" A report was also received from the Board of Works on thia matter, recommending to the Council "the acceptance of the offer made by the. Shell Oil Cempany and Standard Oil Company to occupy with filling stations the corners of the entrance to University Avenue from the Highway, at the payment by each of these: oil companies of $12,000 in advance for a five-year lease of these. locations; that the placing of these stations at the above named locations and theplans for the stations are to be subject to the .approval o:f the Chairman of the City Planning commission and the City Engineer". A 'petition was.' .submitted with 63 signatures. petitioning the Council to permit the service stations to remain at the university Avenue entrance, either as now located or to be re -located to conform with the accepted p:tans . A communication was received from Mr. W. L. Peet concerning, this mattes,- and ,commenting on a .>tatement in the . Palo A7 to ::Times that, the land along -- the highway leased from Stanford university:."was:,. given ,into the keeping of the city for park purposes", stating that. in his. opinion there was no foundation for..the claim .that there was such an understanding with ,the . university A motion=was-made by Wing and Cathcart to adopt the report of the joint committee, composed of Committees No. 1, 2 and 4. ' A long discussion on the matter followed., Mrs. Thomas spoke in behalf of the Planting -Commission expressing its views, with particular reference to its reasons for recommending the removal of the 'oil stations. Councilman Jordan .stated that the oil:companies werewilling to relocate their stations and :hake them 'conform to the' plans adopted, and he also stated that Controller Roth had': advised that, in his opinion, the University would have no objection. to the proposed leases. It was felt by a majority of the Council that a bond issue to improve the entrance might`�not carry, and that the opportunity offered by the oil .-companies' wits payment in advance for five-year leases should be aecepted, in order that work on the Plaza might be started at :once A vote was then taken on the motion to adopt the report of the joint. co ittee which resulted in 11 Ayes and' 3- Noes- Hobart,. Thoits and Mrs. Thomas voting "No", and the Mayor. declared the motion was carried. Mrs. N. E. Malcolm, representing the Federated women's Club, addressed the Council concerning municipal gardening and gave information as to 'what other cities are doing in this: work, such as' adopting municipal flowers, planting rose gardens, wild flower gardens;etc.i and suggested that these ideas might be used in planning-thePlaza. On motion of Jordan and City Attorney were authorized to ations of the 'joint committee as roll call. Whisler, the Board -of Works and proceed to carry out the recommend - adopted, by unanimous vote on On.'motion of Cathcart and Hobart, the Planning - Commission was requested to cooperate with the Board of Works in the ` preparation cif a, plan looking toward the, ultimate:. permanent development and beautification of the entrance, and including the retention of the filling stations for a five-year period, and to report back--toi° the Council. In making this motion, Councilman Cathcart stated that' it .was his opinion that the Council should approve al.l` plans prepared by the Board of Works and Planning 0ommi.ssIon which are to be permanent ones. Appropriation to Community Center A report was received from Committee No. 4 recommending that $250.00 be `. added to the Community Center budget from the unexpended balance ~o,f the general fund. This recommendation was approved byr .unanimous vote on roll call. A, report wasreceived from Committee No. 4 recommending that the request: of the: Chamber of Commerce for an appropriation of $350..Oo. for .the purpose .of defraying a portion of the advertising and publicity expenses of the Palo Alto Inaugural Special train be approved, the money.' to be taken from the Municipal. Welfare Fund. On motion of Jordan and Christensen, m, this request was approved, by unanimous vote -,.on roll call. Garden Contest in '1ayfiel.d. Councilman Wood informed the' Council that the Exchange Club of Mayfield is conducting a garden contest in Mayfield and a portion of. South Palo Alto, and that prizes totalling about *400.00 are ,:to be:'giver for the most beautiful yards. He: suggested that the City of Palo Altomight supply trees to plant along College and Stanford Avenues, and ;the ,Council : might encourage this project by donating; $25.00 as one of the prizes. On motion of Wood and Hobart, this matter was referred to Committee No. 4 for investigation. Councilman Wood was excused at this time and was absent during - the rest .. the meeting. ./ that the employees to Februa: A recommez report be this'purpc and Johns allowed, 'k requested on all the insurance, to be cons: As is that the f; with the Be Treasurer i expenses in Christensen OrdI.r Ordinance N< district wa A this letter. regulations refereed ban i1eoort Th of Public Se 1929, were r. Concer proposed suTbb fact that a the City's s3 and Xhisler, Engineer and Co the bills no proposed bill between the - .ecisin AC. in the natter. granting pr iv removing the - Palo Alto Ave, 3 Concerning Liability Insurance. A report was received from Committee No. 5 recommending that the present public. Iiablllty policy of city officers and employees, taken out with the Pacific Indemnity Company, be paid to February 11, 1929, and cancelled, the amount due being $360.00. A recommendation was received from. Committee No. 4 that this - report be approved and the amount of $360.00 be appropriated for this purpose from the, contingent fund. On notion of Christensen and Johnson, the report was, ap roved and the appropriation allowed, by unanimeus..vete: on_ roll; call. Committee No". 5.':also reported to the Council that it has requested the City Attorney tostudyand report to the committee on all the propasitions submitted relating. to public liability insurance, and to drsw' up : a set of specifications for insurance to be considered by the comriittee .. As to Cormnunity. Center F1:xnds A report was, received:. from Committee No. 5 recommending that the funds of the .Community Center Commission now deposited' 'k, with the Building and Loan: Association be deposited with the City Treasurer in the OpmmunityCenter.Fund and handled as other expenses in the fund" are "handled. On motion of Wing and Christensen, this ,report was adopted. Ordinance on Building Area The proposed ,ordinance" aze.nding Section 1004 of Codified Ordinance No. 3 relative.to building area in the third resicential district was presented for second reading. A letter .from .S. E. Moore concerning this matter was read *,j this letter enclosing copies of letters relating to building regulations in;.other. cities.. The ordinance and letters were refereed back to Committee No. 1, Reports of Officials. The reports of the Department of Public Works, Department V of Public Safety,.Auditor and Treasurer for the month of January; 1929, were, received. And placed on file. Concerning Fmbs:readero Subway The City Attorney gave a verbal report concerning the proposed ,sutbvay .at Enbarcadero Road, and called attention to the fact that a bond election.shou7d be called for a bond issue to pay the City' s; share of :the cost of this subway. On motion of Thoits and hisle-r,, the matter was referred to the City Attorney, City Engineer and Committee No. 4, to report on February 27, 1929. Councilman dying suggested that the City Attorney look up the bills now before the legislature to see if there are any proposed bills relative to the division of costs of a subway between" the railroad; city and county. Decision from R. R.Cormii.�ssi,on A decision: was. 'presented from the Railroad Commission in the matter of the petition ;of City of Palo Alto for an order. . granting privilege of temporary .grade crossing at Palo Alto Avenue, removing the time limit ,for .the maintenance of a grade crossing at Talo Alto Avenue .until ;further. odder of the Commission. Widening Dana.Street The, City Attorney made a verbal report on the natter of acquiring .a- strip of: land 20 feet wide from schoolproperty for the purpose - o f :-widening :Dana Street , which is adjacent , to the new sub- divisf on of Crescent Park- Addition No. 1. This matter was referred - to the`: City. Attorney to confer with the Board -of -Education.`- . Concerning Proposod Change of Zone C:ouncilian Cathcart brought up the matter of the desirability of including certain property on Ramona Street in the. third residert:ial 'zone, and called attention to the. fact 'that the zoning>ordinanc>e: provides that the Council` may take the initiative in requesting the Planning Commission to consider a change Hof zone;. ithout expense to the property owners involved. 0n motion of Cathcart and Thoits, the City Planning Commission.was;re,uested to take ,under consideration the desirabil- ity:of:extending the third residential district in -the following :canner To extend the northeasterly boundary in Bloek'24 to intersect'Addison Avenue, thence'southwesterly on Addison Avenue to intersect with the Industrial District,or any part thereof which the P3annng Commission might think desirable to incorporate in such.a district. Ronthly Blabs 0n motion of Bertsche and Kelly, the following claims were and -warrants authorized, by unanimous vote on roll call:, E. L. Beach H. 3. Crocker Co . E. D. `Lakin MalcolM and David Travelers Insurance Co. Western 'Union Tel. C. . Frank G. Hoge A. T. -"Pettey Bancroft -Whitney Co. Glenn R. Lumbard Carol Aronovici 4; 20.00 10.93 75.00 200.00 115.57 5.25 /7.3.2 38.55 30.00 360.00 130.84 the Council adjourned to Wednesday, the 1929, at 7:30 p. m. in the City F, l . Approved: at 7:30 special convene the how of cons: taxatior No. 718 by the lands; s to munic appointe follows: Pre Abs Con taxation explaine No. 2 an on motio on roll Con. st 7:50 reportin of a sta deputies records Attorney and advi motion 0 roll cU instruct tional b: public u and to t directed accompa of Calif: Clara Co; from the ,represen'